POLE dance venues in Swindon have had their licences renewed by the council, following concerns new laws on security and physical contact would put their businesses at risk.

The licensing committee agreed terms with Dream Lounge and Foxies, both on Regent Circus, to update sex entertainment restrictions in line with new Home Office guidance.

Recommendations include having supervisors within five metres of lap dance areas and banning performers from sitting next to, on, or straddling customers.

Both venues were visited by the councillors before the hearing on Friday, while they were closed.

At the hearing, David Broome of Foxies, which has been running since 2001, objected to the performers not being allowed to sit next to customers and to supervisors being within five metres of lap dances, but agreed with other restrictions .

Foxies applied for the licence to include its Stag-on-Stage attraction.

Dream Lounge co-owners Sandra and Peter Rogers and daughter Charlotte objected to the wording of rules against sitting on and straddling customers, as well as conditions concerning touching customers.

Operations manager Charlotte said the club wanted the restrictions to allow more contact, rather than preventing any interaction between the performer and the customer, which she said would change the experience.

Former dancer Christine Gregory, 38, objected to the venue’s attempt to remove some restrictions.

“My main priority is safeguarding vulnerable girls. I’m currently working with girls who have been permanently disabled through pole dancing without proper training,” she said.

The committee granted both applications, with new restrictions meaning a floor supervisor must be present in lap-dance areas when in use, and grinding, straddling and sitting on customers are not allowed. Foxies was allowed Stag-on-Stage events under agreed guidelines.