The number of strip clubs in the north and north-east could be reduced as politicians bid to clamp down on the controversial venues.
The Scottish government has introduced legislation which allows councils to limit the number of sex venues – including setting a zero limit.
Only six Scottish council areas have the venues, with consultations already launched in Glasgow and Edinburgh and planned in Fife while Dundee said it had made “no decision” on the issue.
However, it has emerged that consultations are also being prepared by Aberdeen and Highland councils, although it is unclear who will be asked for their views.
Nine other Scottish local authorities, which currently have no lap dancing venues, have either started a public consultation or are considering a debate on the issue.
Women’s and religious groups have called for restrictions on the clubs for promoting “misogynistic attitudes”.
But Tony Cochrane, owner of Aberdeen’s Private Eyes, said he had already been consulting with lawyers about the consultation.
He said: “This is at a very early stage, but I would be hopeful that a range of groups are consulted and not just women’s and church groups.
“We have been preparing for this and spoken with a QC.
“Any changes would have to meet certain criteria, they can’t just set a policy of ‘zero clubs’ without significant recourse from the operators.
“They also couldn’t be restrictive to one sex, if they limited the licences, that would also restrict male workers on hen nights and the likes.
“From a jobs perspective, a lot of single mums work with us and who knows what they would do without this work.”
An Aberdeen City Council spokesman said: “We will be conducting a relevant consultation, the format of which has yet to be determined. A report will be submitted to the council’s licensing committee in due course.”
A spokeswoman from Highland Council told the BBC: “We have not to date taken any action in relation to the licensing of sexual entertainment venues.
“This is something that will be looked at this year with the intention to launch a similar consultation [to Glasgow’s].”
