Concern over ‘seedy’ sex shop application in Bournemouth (From Bournemouth Echo)
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Concern over ‘seedy’ sex shop application in Bournemouth
9:30am Friday 10th April 2009 in
ANXIOUS residents fear a Bournemouth sex shop is about to be taken over by an operator who presents what they claim is a more “seedy” image.
Essex-based sex shop company Darker Enterprises has applied for permission to operate the Clone Zone store in the Triangle.
But their bid to transfer the current sex shop licence has sparked around 40 objections.
These claim that the Darker Enterprises’ store will be completely different from the existing business and will hinder the regeneration of the Triangle area.
One letter to the council states: “The way Darker Enterprises present their shops is seedy and this would be detrimental to trade in this area.
“Clone Zone was a lifestyle store (which had many high street retail elements rather than just sex) for the gay community and the licence was granted in the Triangle for this.
“There are already licensed stores on Holdenhurst Road catering for the straight market and there is no need for additional ones in this area.”
A local trader said: “While the current shop has a sex licence it looks like an ‘extreme’ men’s underwear shop.
“The new operator uses blacked- out shop fronts which are blatantly obvious to all as being a sex shop and will attract the unsavoury shoppers who I have no need to describe.”
And another local retailer said: “I have been told that the Triangle is an area due for regeneration and took on the lease here on the strength of that information.
“I do not believe that a sex shop will in any way enhance this area.”
No-one from Darker Enterprises was available to comment.
The council’s licensing board will consider the application on Thursday, April 16.
Comments(22)
EGHH
says...
10:41am Fri 10 Apr 09
We should be more concerned at the shops that sell 4 cans of strong lager for less than £5 to underage drinkers!
nobull
says...
11:42am Fri 10 Apr 09
crispy_pants
says...
11:59am Fri 10 Apr 09
manana
says...
12:36pm Fri 10 Apr 09
Why is someone who visits a sex shop classed as 'unsavoury'? Sex has obviousely been around forever and if someone wants to purchase something to make their sex life more exciting then good on them. It doesnt turn you into an undesirable. Plenty of people visit Ann Summers and nothing is said about that.
Gastines
says...
1:14pm Fri 10 Apr 09
Laurie Marsh
says...
2:18pm Fri 10 Apr 09
What is the difference?
They both sell underwear!
peterdw777
says...
3:35pm Fri 10 Apr 09
sollie
says...
4:04pm Fri 10 Apr 09
These objectors should be grateful that the shop is not boarded following closure.
BH18
says...
4:12pm Fri 10 Apr 09
Nick2
says...
5:17pm Fri 10 Apr 09
I believe that sex shop law changed a few years ago so that the shops can now display their wares instead of hiding them.
So lets have a row of vibraters, in all sizes and colours, instead!
That should please the other traders……..
WIGGINSv
says...
5:48pm Fri 10 Apr 09
peterdw777 wrote:Really? I noticed a lot of empty 'scruffy' facades at this location.
From the objectors point of view it isn't so much that it's a sex shop but it's the style of the alterations which will affect the area. A blacked out window is not in keeping with the other shops in the Triangle who display their wares in see through windows.
peterdw777
says...
8:13pm Fri 10 Apr 09
WIGGINSv wrote:Please re-read the article,ie "And another local retailer said: “I have been told that the Triangle is an area due for regeneration and took on the lease here on the strength of that information."
peterdw777 wrote:Really? I noticed a lot of empty 'scruffy' facades at this location.
From the objectors point of view it isn't so much that it's a sex shop but it's the style of the alterations which will affect the area. A blacked out window is not in keeping with the other shops in the Triangle who display their wares in see through windows.
bluealpinedriver
says...
8:43pm Fri 10 Apr 09
Wander into Ann Summers, all their sex toys are on show for everyone to view.
At least the licenced sex shops do not advertise their products so obviously. I dont use sex shops but I really dont see a problem with them.
casual_observer
says...
9:01am Sat 11 Apr 09
2Much...again!
says...
9:46am Sat 11 Apr 09
"Essex-based sex shop company Darker Enterprises"
It's the fact they're an "enterprise" so not local business people, and the name doesn't really do them any favours..lol
Yawwwn!
says...
12:18pm Sat 11 Apr 09
There are hundred's of shops and bars in Bournemouth, but I don't visit them all, because they don't all appeal to me.
YOU HAVE A CHOICE!!!
I have never been in a shop that is orientated towards the lesbian and gay community, but in central london there is a branch of Clone Zone, and when i have walked past that shop a few times, I have never seen any thing that could be described as pornographic or illicit on display in the window.
If you can have a lots of sex shops aimed at hetrosexual people in Bournemouth, then what right do we have to disciminate against a Gay orintated shop?
There are a few gay bars and clubs in the triangle, and as far as I know, when it is a Friday or Saturday night, there is not a problem with Gay and Lesbians being a nuisance to the area, even when they are probably intoxicated from having a good night out. So why should the area become seedy if it is operating as a shop with normal shop hours when people are sober.
People really need to stop being so bigoted in 2009!
terry1965
says...
2:44pm Sun 12 Apr 09
Anyone who objects to this kind of establishment doesn't have to shop there.
I also think the kind of person objecting is either homophobic or the sort who think old men in dirty raincoats will be stood outside all day!
Live & let live.
btown
says...
11:35pm Sun 12 Apr 09
Palantir
says...
9:41pm Tue 14 Apr 09
Do they not want blacked out windows, and for kids to see what's inside? I don't see a fuss kicking up over there being an Ann Summers 200 yards down the road neither! That shop's been in the middle of a busy retail area and not damaged anyone's trade, why would this shop do much to affect other businesses?
If you ask me it's all just a bunch of repressed celibates moaning that some people have more exciting lives than they do.
os
says...
8:30am Wed 15 Apr 09
tundraboy
says...
5:17pm Fri 24 Apr 09
it seems to me they have assumed the shop will have blacked out windows because previous shops owned by this company have had blacked out windows. Well I find it hard to believe the good people of Bournemouth would let assumption rule there head and stir them in to a vicious whirlpool of propaganda and ignorance.
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cooperman says...
9:52am Fri 10 Apr 09