main content Sex establishment licence refused

An application to operate a sex establishment at 24 London Road was refused today by the Council’s Licensing Sub-Committee. The application by Darker Enterprises Ltd was refused because it was not appropriate to locate a sex establishment in this particular locality. The decision follows the Licensing Sub-Committee meeting last Tuesday.

Councillor Tony Owen, Chairman of Licensing Appeals Sub-Committee said, “We feel that the granting of a licence would be completely inappropriate. A sex shop would be completely out of character in this very residential location. There are nursery and primary schools and churches nearby as well as Connexions across the road where impressionable young people seek guidance.”

The Licensing Sub-Committee heard a presentation on behalf of the applicant. They also heard verbal submissions from Councillors, local residents and businesses who were against the application.

The character of the locality was considered to be almost exclusively residential. It was also noted though that the area included churches and a synagogue and that often local religious buildings were used for a variety of other purposes including youth clubs and mother and toddler groups. The area also contained the magistrates' and county courts, a youth service provider, Connexions Youth Support Service, a snooker club and a community drugs project. There was also a day nursery in Blyth Road and at the most southern part of Valley Primary school.

ENDS

For media enquiries, please contact Andrew Rogers, Communications Advisor, on 020 8461 7670 or Lawrie Weeks, Licensing Officer on 020 8313 4734.