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
how on earth does a sex shop effect anyone elses business ? what do people imagine goes on there ? you could drive up and down Holdenhurst Road a thousand times and never ever know that there was a sex shop there. NO I do not use any of these shops ,nor am I connected with the trade but for crying out loud ... live and let live - there are traders in other retail markets who sell cigarettes and alcohol to youngsters so they arent so squeeky clean - get off your soap boxes ,its just another outlet catering to a market that clearly exists.nothing wrong with that
how on earth does a sex shop effect anyone elses business ? what do people imagine goes on there ? you could drive up and down Holdenhurst Road a thousand times and never ever know that there was a sex shop there. NO I do not use any of these shops ,nor am I connected with the trade but for crying out loud ... live and let live - there are traders in other retail markets who sell cigarettes and alcohol to youngsters so they arent so squeeky clean - get off your soap boxes ,its just another outlet catering to a market that clearly exists.nothing wrong with that
Well said Cooperman. Has Holdenhurst Road turned into Sodom and Gomorrah? NO! Good people of Bournemouth, its 2009 not 1909!
We should be more concerned at the shops that sell 4 cans of strong lager for less than £5 to underage drinkers!
Well said Cooperman. Has Holdenhurst Road turned into Sodom and Gomorrah? NO! Good people of Bournemouth, its 2009 not 1909!
We should be more concerned at the shops that sell 4 cans of strong lager for less than £5 to underage drinkers!
Sack cloth and ashes for you my boy !!!!
Sack cloth and ashes for you my boy !!!!
I concur with EGHH. Well said cooperman.
I concur with EGHH. Well said cooperman.
I agree with you Cooperman.
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.
I agree with you Cooperman.
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.
Keep it quiet otherwise a cetain Mr& Mrs J Smith might be visiting at the next Confrence.
Keep it quiet otherwise a cetain Mr& Mrs J Smith might be visiting at the next Confrence.
It seems strange that a "lifestyle" shop is O.K. but a sex shop is not!
What is the difference?
They both sell underwear!
It seems strange that a "lifestyle" shop is O.K. but a sex shop is not!
What is the difference?
They both sell underwear!
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.
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.
Look around and see how many supermarkets have blanked out windows. Does this feature attract unsavoury shoppers?
These objectors should be grateful that the shop is not boarded following closure.
Look around and see how many supermarkets have blanked out windows. Does this feature attract unsavoury shoppers?
These objectors should be grateful that the shop is not boarded following closure.
I agree with you all.
I agree with you all.
Oh I think that they should not have a blacked out window.
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……..
Oh I think that they should not have a blacked out window.
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……..
peterdw777 wrote…
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.
Really? I noticed a lot of empty 'scruffy' facades at this location.
peterdw777 wrote…
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.
Really? I noticed a lot of empty 'scruffy' facades at this location.
Here is Aussie we have lots of Gay sex shops called "Laurie Marsh", a bit like your UK Bon Marche shops I guess as we cater for the fat boys...
WIGGINSv wrote…
peterdw777 wrote…
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.
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."
WIGGINSv wrote…
peterdw777 wrote…
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.
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."
Whats all this fuss.
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.
Whats all this fuss.
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.
Aussie God from Winton wrote…
Here is Aussie we have lots of Gay sex shops called Well "Aussie fake", crawled out from under your sleazy litte rock again have you?
Or should that read "flake"?
Hmm....Clone Zone Store closes - why? presumbly because there wasn't enough trade (no pun intended). So, why open up a similar shop, in a scrffy part of a scruffy town, in a recession? Good Luck to 'em.
Hmm....Clone Zone Store closes - why? presumbly because there wasn't enough trade (no pun intended). So, why open up a similar shop, in a scrffy part of a scruffy town, in a recession? Good Luck to 'em.
It's not the sex shop that bothers me.
"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
It's not the sex shop that bothers me.
"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
If you don't like shopping at Next, you go elsewhere. If you don't like shopping at Aldi or Lidl's, you shop elsewhere.
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!
If you don't like shopping at Next, you go elsewhere. If you don't like shopping at Aldi or Lidl's, you shop elsewhere.
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!
Provided the frontage to this establishment is tasteful, what on earth is the problem?
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.
Provided the frontage to this establishment is tasteful, what on earth is the problem?
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.
what is wrong with this town ??? the answer is everything its a business so just let them do it what is so wrong its not like the triangle is such a upmarket place and the town is lacking shops such as this one
what is wrong with this town ??? the answer is everything its a business so just let them do it what is so wrong its not like the triangle is such a upmarket place and the town is lacking shops such as this one
I have no business in a lot of the shops in Bournemouth, so I don't go in them. This sex shop is one of them. But that's where it stops - I just don't go in because I have no need to be in there - why is everyone getting on their high horse about something really trivial?
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.
I have no business in a lot of the shops in Bournemouth, so I don't go in them. This sex shop is one of them. But that's where it stops - I just don't go in because I have no need to be in there - why is everyone getting on their high horse about something really trivial?
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.
Dont this place selling nut crackers.
Dont this place selling nut crackers.
I agree blacked out windows would be most unpleasant and not in keeping to the triangles ambiance at all! but where have they got there information from ?
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.
I agree blacked out windows would be most unpleasant and not in keeping to the triangles ambiance at all! but where have they got there information from ?
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.