A NEGLECTED area full of sex shops and empty stores or a vibrant, bustling space that hosts live events – just what is the future for Bournemouth Triangle?
That is the question being asked by traders and residents after councillors granted licences for two new sex shops at the Triangle – and then days later announced ambitious plans to regenerate the area.
Councillors on Bournemouth’s licensing committee insisted there were no grounds to refuse the two sex shop applications, which will take the total in the area to four.
White Tiger Europe Ltd was granted a sex establishment licence for 12 months for Triangle Adult Store, a lifestyle shop for lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender customers, run by the former manager of Clone Zone.
Despite a flood of objections from traders Darker Enterprises has been given permission to take over the licence formerly held by the Clone Zone, which went into administration in January. It plans a new store called Private Shop.
Appealing to the licensing committee to reject the Darker Enterprises' application, former mayor Cllr Bob Chapman said: “It’s flying in the face of everything this council is trying to do, at considerable cost to the taxpayers of this town and will do nothing to lift the appearance of the Triangle area.”
But on Wednesday, Cllr Chapman, who is the cabinet member for major projects, announced plans to seek £274,000 of funding to realise the potential of the Triangle.
The funding will kickstart a series of improvements, which could include creating a pedestrian-only area, an events space with seating and attractive landscaping and improvements to the road network.
“This area has been in steady decline and we’ve been concerned about the number of vacant shop units,” said Cllr Chapman.
“The Triangle has great potential – Tesco recently opened a store there and our landmark library is a major asset. Through the Town Centre Master Vision we hope to make key parts of Bournemouth more attractive – the Triangle will be one of many regeneration projects.”
The turn of events has left traders wondering whether the promised regeneration, which has been in the pipeline for several years, will ever materialise.
Mary Stuart of Dancezie said she was “disappointed” councillors had little choice but to approve the sex shop applications.
“The council ought to make a nice family area. They had their hands tied with legislation,” she said.
And Michael Dowling of 5th Avenue Hair and Beauty of Bolivia said: “If the council wants to attract more shoppers and businesses it has got to be creating something for families, not these types of people.
“I’m looking at 10 empty shops.”
Jason Appleby, manager of The All New Chez L’amour in the Triangle, said most of his customers were middle-aged, buying items similar to those from Ann Summers.
Neither needs a sex shop licence as the percentage of “sex articles” it sells is low.
“I’m not sure what they think is going to happen if two more shops are here,” he said. “Most people don’t notice this shop when they walk past.”
Plans for a £2m pedestrianised scheme for the area, with space for performances, markets and book fares, were welcomed by traders in 2003 but came to nothing.
Comments
Don't know what everyone's worried about - Tesco are in the area. They already sell most things and are destroying independent traders, now even putting their own banks in some stores, so they'll probably take over the sex shop sector as well and these small shops will fail.
Don't know what everyone's worried about - Tesco are in the area. They already sell most things and are destroying independent traders, now even putting their own banks in some stores, so they'll probably take over the sex shop sector as well and these small shops will fail.
Anyone trying to start a business in the current climate should be encouraged, not criticised.
Anyone trying to start a business in the current climate should be encouraged, not criticised.
£274,000 will not buy much
£274,000 will not buy much
Sex shops must have the trade they do not open just for Fun.
(oh yes they do!)
stop moaning all you miseries xx
Sex shops must have the trade they do not open just for Fun.
(oh yes they do!)
stop moaning all you miseries xx
Just emphasises the problem that Bournemouth is a town without a centre, a soul, or an identity. Just way to spread out, and not in a good way...
Just emphasises the problem that Bournemouth is a town without a centre, a soul, or an identity. Just way to spread out, and not in a good way...
If the previous business that was there (Clone Zone) went into administration, what is the point of opening up another store offering the same products?
And as for the comments made by Michael Dowling of 5th Avenue Hair and Beauty - 'we don't want these sort of people here'...what sort of people Michael? If you are going to come out with comments like that, have the guts to say what you actually mean....oh, and just a thought - you run a HAIRDRESSERS...hello
??!
If the previous business that was there (Clone Zone) went into administration, what is the point of opening up another store offering the same products?
And as for the comments made by Michael Dowling of 5th Avenue Hair and Beauty - 'we don't want these sort of people here'...what sort of people Michael? If you are going to come out with comments like that, have the guts to say what you actually mean....oh, and just a thought - you run a HAIRDRESSERS...hello
??!
Having seen the steady decline of the area over the last 30 years,since the days of The Music Box/West End Fisheries/C&A/Parrs Chemist etc etc,it does seem that the area is not suited for retailers .As the Government and Council only have enough cash for their own wages and perks and pension pots, it does seem fairly obvious that no re-generation of the area will be
seen for some time. Might as well get some Council tax in from something?
Having seen the steady decline of the area over the last 30 years,since the days of The Music Box/West End Fisheries/C&A/Parrs Chemist etc etc,it does seem that the area is not suited for retailers .As the Government and Council only have enough cash for their own wages and perks and pension pots, it does seem fairly obvious that no re-generation of the area will be
seen for some time. Might as well get some Council tax in from something?
Surely an ideal opportunity for Richard Carr ?
Surely an ideal opportunity for Richard Carr ?
There are empty shops in the library building and several leading down to the square, The place is starting to resemble a ghost town and will not look good to any holiday makers. The taxes are way too much and unless they are cut the Council will end up collecting nothing from these premises. I doubt that sex shops could be any worse than the tacky chain stores in the area anyway?
There are empty shops in the library building and several leading down to the square, The place is starting to resemble a ghost town and will not look good to any holiday makers. The taxes are way too much and unless they are cut the Council will end up collecting nothing from these premises. I doubt that sex shops could be any worse than the tacky chain stores in the area anyway?
a) it's on top of a big hill so people can't be bothered to walk there.
b) There's nothing there but a regiment of pink oboe players anyway.
c) The only passing trade are people who have arrived in the town by bus. Let's face it, if you travel by bus, you are a tramp and have no money to spend anywhere anyway.
Surely it can't cost much to make the road to the left pedestrian only and ensourage cafe style eateries along that part with outside seating areas? Dig up the old bus parking area and landscape it. would vastly improve the area
Surely it can't cost much to make the road to the left pedestrian only and ensourage cafe style eateries along that part with outside seating areas? Dig up the old bus parking area and landscape it. would vastly improve the area
JLC wrote…
a) it's on top of a big hill so people can't be bothered to walk there. b) There's nothing there but a regiment of pink oboe players anyway. c) The only passing trade are people who have arrived in the town by bus. Let's face it, if you travel by bus, you are a tramp and have no money to spend anywhere anyway.
Couldn't have said it better myself!
Right on all points.
As a spokesperson for White Tiger Europe Ltd I would like to rightly inform the public that the Echo has got it's reporting wrong again.
Darker Enterprises recieved the objections from the public and trader. White Tiger had two objections from the same person.
White Tiger's store is not called the Triangle Adult Store.
Cllr Chapman only spoke on the Darker hearing and not on the White Tiger hearing. In fact nobody came to the White Tiger Hearing as they were happy with the license.
If the Echo contacted White Tiger to ask about the store or even to come along to the hearing they would realise that only a small part of the store will be for licensed material.
The shop is a lifestyle shop giving choice to the LGBT community. The majority of the shop is going to be a boutique clothing store.
We are all for a area for everyone in the Triangle and support any improvements.
If anyone would like to talk to White Tiger and understand what the shop is all about.
The Echo needs to get on top of their accurate reporting and should appologise to White Tiger.
Jay
As a spokesperson for White Tiger Europe Ltd I would like to rightly inform the public that the Echo has got it's reporting wrong again.
Darker Enterprises recieved the objections from the public and trader. White Tiger had two objections from the same person.
White Tiger's store is not called the Triangle Adult Store.
Cllr Chapman only spoke on the Darker hearing and not on the White Tiger hearing. In fact nobody came to the White Tiger Hearing as they were happy with the license.
If the Echo contacted White Tiger to ask about the store or even to come along to the hearing they would realise that only a small part of the store will be for licensed material.
The shop is a lifestyle shop giving choice to the LGBT community. The majority of the shop is going to be a boutique clothing store.
We are all for a area for everyone in the Triangle and support any improvements.
If anyone would like to talk to White Tiger and understand what the shop is all about.
The Echo needs to get on top of their accurate reporting and should appologise to White Tiger.
Jay
JLC wrote…
a) it's on top of a big hill so people can't be bothered to walk there. b) There's nothing there but a regiment of pink oboe players anyway. c) The only passing trade are people who have arrived in the town by bus. Let's face it, if you travel by bus, you are a tramp and have no money to spend anywhere anyway.
LOL!!!!!!!!!!!
JLC - I'm gay and I use the bus, I don't go to the triangle much though.
You come across as a complete idiot.
JLC - I'm gay and I use the bus, I don't go to the triangle much though.
You come across as a complete idiot.
If the demand wasn't there the stores would not open and survive. I dont particularly agree with sex shops but they don't bother me and if you don't want to use it, you are not compelled to do so. Better something there than lots of empty shops. If anything will kill any trade in The Triangle it will be Tesco with their aggressive trading policies.
If the demand wasn't there the stores would not open and survive. I dont particularly agree with sex shops but they don't bother me and if you don't want to use it, you are not compelled to do so. Better something there than lots of empty shops. If anything will kill any trade in The Triangle it will be Tesco with their aggressive trading policies.
I've never understood why the LGBT community gets it's own little section of town with specialist shops anyway. I like to dress up as wildlife on weekends, and I only date Asian women. I don't see any special treatment for me, and the thousands like me.
Well why dont the council put up a surf reef at Bournemouth Pier as well and regenerate the area?
Well why dont the council put up a surf reef at Bournemouth Pier as well and regenerate the area?
I've been edited out again. so much for free speech. It's like a communist state in here.
All I said is that if you ride the bus, you're unlikely to have much money to spend. Anyway, what self respecting person wants to be seen wandering out of a sex shop with a brown paper bag full of anal plugs and dirty mags?
Surely your discerning pervert would buy it online?
Actually there aren't many discerning people around the triangle anyway are there?
to bournemouth_jay:
Your comment is self-serving rubbish and your criticism of the Echo's reporting doesn't have any relationship to the report as written.
The Echo's report stated that WT was going to be a lifestyle store, and it also said that Cllr Chapman spoke only on the Darker application. Just because nobody turned up to oppose your client's application doesn't mean that everyone is happy with the licence.
If this town is going to move forward in any meaningful way, the council has to have powers to designate the kind of stores that should be in a specific area. Yet another store catering to the marginalised sector of society really isn't in the long-term interests of the town and, if the council don't have the power to say "no", then they should have. Until then, every local shopping area is at the mercy of any shady businessman who thinks he can make a fast buck.
to bournemouth_jay:
Your comment is self-serving rubbish and your criticism of the Echo's reporting doesn't have any relationship to the report as written.
The Echo's report stated that WT was going to be a lifestyle store, and it also said that Cllr Chapman spoke only on the Darker application. Just because nobody turned up to oppose your client's application doesn't mean that everyone is happy with the licence.
If this town is going to move forward in any meaningful way, the council has to have powers to designate the kind of stores that should be in a specific area. Yet another store catering to the marginalised sector of society really isn't in the long-term interests of the town and, if the council don't have the power to say "no", then they should have. Until then, every local shopping area is at the mercy of any shady businessman who thinks he can make a fast buck.
Nigel Blumenthal - If it's such a marginalised sector of society, why do people want to keep opening these shops? Maybe it's not such a marginalised group as you would like to think.
Perhaps it is time that we stopped being so prudish and embarrassed about something that is one of life's great pleasures?
Nigel Blumenthal - If it's such a marginalised sector of society, why do people want to keep opening these shops? Maybe it's not such a marginalised group as you would like to think.
Perhaps it is time that we stopped being so prudish and embarrassed about something that is one of life's great pleasures?
Nigel Blumenthal - If you read the paper article versus the website you will notice discrepancies between the two. Your comments around every local shopping area is at the mercy of any shady businessman is far from the truth.. surely it is better to have our local shopping areas filled with people willing to put their neck on the line in this current climate and make a go of it themselves?? I know the new management of WT ltd and I can confirm they are hardly shady businessmen - in fact they do more than their fair share for the local community and try in various ways to make Bournemouth a better place to live. The WT store will look like any other clothing store around Bournemouth and should in fact enhance the local surroundings.. unlike the new Private shop which will have blackened out windows and look seedy (if anything is to go by their other shops around the UK) - what would the world look like if we didnt cater for "marginalist" society in all types of forms.. a pretty boring communistic one I would think!!
Nigel Blumenthal - If you read the paper article versus the website you will notice discrepancies between the two. Your comments around every local shopping area is at the mercy of any shady businessman is far from the truth.. surely it is better to have our local shopping areas filled with people willing to put their neck on the line in this current climate and make a go of it themselves?? I know the new management of WT ltd and I can confirm they are hardly shady businessmen - in fact they do more than their fair share for the local community and try in various ways to make Bournemouth a better place to live. The WT store will look like any other clothing store around Bournemouth and should in fact enhance the local surroundings.. unlike the new Private shop which will have blackened out windows and look seedy (if anything is to go by their other shops around the UK) - what would the world look like if we didnt cater for "marginalist" society in all types of forms.. a pretty boring communistic one I would think!!
It'd be less pink, and it would contain less leather and rubber.
It'd be less pink, and it would contain less leather and rubber.
As a frequent visitor to Bournemouth, I have noticed a downturn at the triangle. However, this is a nationwide problem and not just to the area. It will certainly not improve to any extent in the near future. Empty shops are a loss of revenue to councils and therefore any takers for empty prenises should be welcomed. Does it really matter what the shop is selling ? Not really!!
As a frequent visitor to Bournemouth, I have noticed a downturn at the triangle. However, this is a nationwide problem and not just to the area. It will certainly not improve to any extent in the near future. Empty shops are a loss of revenue to councils and therefore any takers for empty prenises should be welcomed. Does it really matter what the shop is selling ? Not really!!
It's simple, sex sells!
It's simple, sex sells!
Triangle,the end is nigh.
Triangle,the end is nigh.
Triangle,the end is nigh.
Triangle,the end is nigh.
Viberant what a good word to use when discussing Sex Shops.
Viberant what a good word to use when discussing Sex Shops.
To Bournemouthopinion:
Unfortunately we're not in the UK at the moment, so the only version of the story I saw, and the one on which I based my comments, was the one on the website. And I was careful in my phrasing - I did not suggest the the owners of WT were shady businessmen.
My point was really that, without some sort of overall plan for an area or for the town itself, the community is at the mercy of anyone who feels they can come in and make a buck or two, without any concern needing to be shown for the community or the long-term viability of an area.
Let's look at a different example: I happen to think that there are already enough bars and clubs in Central B'mouth. I take that view mostly because I live in the centre of town, and I'm constantly being woken up at 2,3 and 4-o'clock by drinkers who think that Central Car Park is a good race track. So if anyone else wanted to put in another new bar or club, I'd be opposed, because of the effect it has on the area and because, in the long term, there isn't enough throughput traffic to support a huge number of these establishments. But if the Council, who are supposed to be in control of the town, admits that they actually have no power to stop another club, then the council needs nore powers to be able to plan and to ensure the long-term viability and survival of what is actually still a pretty nice town.
To Bournemouthopinion:
Unfortunately we're not in the UK at the moment, so the only version of the story I saw, and the one on which I based my comments, was the one on the website. And I was careful in my phrasing - I did not suggest the the owners of WT were shady businessmen.
My point was really that, without some sort of overall plan for an area or for the town itself, the community is at the mercy of anyone who feels they can come in and make a buck or two, without any concern needing to be shown for the community or the long-term viability of an area.
Let's look at a different example: I happen to think that there are already enough bars and clubs in Central B'mouth. I take that view mostly because I live in the centre of town, and I'm constantly being woken up at 2,3 and 4-o'clock by drinkers who think that Central Car Park is a good race track. So if anyone else wanted to put in another new bar or club, I'd be opposed, because of the effect it has on the area and because, in the long term, there isn't enough throughput traffic to support a huge number of these establishments. But if the Council, who are supposed to be in control of the town, admits that they actually have no power to stop another club, then the council needs nore powers to be able to plan and to ensure the long-term viability and survival of what is actually still a pretty nice town.
" A NEGLECTED area full of sex shops and empty stores or a vibrant, bustling space that hosts live events – just what is the future for Bournemouth Triangle?
That is the question being asked by traders and residents"
I'm a resident and I'm not asking that question... Why does the Echo insist in creating a non-story?
" A NEGLECTED area full of sex shops and empty stores or a vibrant, bustling space that hosts live events – just what is the future for Bournemouth Triangle?
That is the question being asked by traders and residents"
I'm a resident and I'm not asking that question... Why does the Echo insist in creating a non-story?
Lord Spring
Vibrant not viberant. What is the point of a public school education if the basics are not taught.
Lord Spring
Vibrant not viberant. What is the point of a public school education if the basics are not taught.
To Nigel Blumenthal, fair comments....
From 2010 all bars and social clubs will need the same license (sex establishment) to operate... just trying to make the point that a sex establishment license doesn't always mean what you think it might.. so i really think people should just wait and see what the two new shops are going to turn out like before people start to judge...
To Nigel Blumenthal, fair comments....
From 2010 all bars and social clubs will need the same license (sex establishment) to operate... just trying to make the point that a sex establishment license doesn't always mean what you think it might.. so i really think people should just wait and see what the two new shops are going to turn out like before people start to judge...
dickyboy wrote…
Lord Spring
Vibrant not viberant. What is the point of a public school education if the basics are not taught.
Dunno. Didn't have a public school education. Do know, though, that your second sentence should end with a question mark and not a full stop.
dickyboy wrote…
Lord Spring
Vibrant not viberant. What is the point of a public school education if the basics are not taught.
Dunno. Didn't have a public school education. Do know, though, that your second sentence should end with a question mark and not a full stop.
Sex shops are fine. Theres far worse to be found on the internet, You Tube and in MPs expense claims!
Re comments above- when a shop unit is empty the council may still be getting the business rates for it. This is because if a person signed a 10 year lease, and ceased trading after 5 years, but failed to get any takers to replace them, the ceased trader still has to pay the landlords rent and the council rates. If the lease has finished, or the trader declared insolvency, then the landlord can get a period of grace not to pay the rates, but once this has expired, the landlord has to pay the council rates, even if the unit is empty.
The reason why so many shops in the Triangle and elsewhere, lie empty is economic AND cultural. Firstly the recession is biting hard- people arent confident to go out and spend as consumers or entrepreneurs. PLUS, asking rents and rates are far to high. The empty units in the Library building (next to Tesco Express) are about £50,000 per annum. This has killed off Bathstore, Evesham, the cafe, Cotswold store and more. The rents in the empty Nova building (where the old C & A was) are around £80,000 a year... even in the Triangle, excessive rents mean that a good business idea has little chance of success.
The cultural reason for empty shops and offices is that our once 'nation of shopkeepers' as Napoleon called us, is now a thing of the past. The vast majority of Brits would rather sit in front of a PC, work Monday to Friday 9 to 5. People crave the familarity of work routine and job security. To start and run a business takes a lot of effort, courage, imagination, money and determination - it is rare to find this in one person.
Sex shops are fine. Theres far worse to be found on the internet, You Tube and in MPs expense claims!
Re comments above- when a shop unit is empty the council may still be getting the business rates for it. This is because if a person signed a 10 year lease, and ceased trading after 5 years, but failed to get any takers to replace them, the ceased trader still has to pay the landlords rent and the council rates. If the lease has finished, or the trader declared insolvency, then the landlord can get a period of grace not to pay the rates, but once this has expired, the landlord has to pay the council rates, even if the unit is empty.
The reason why so many shops in the Triangle and elsewhere, lie empty is economic AND cultural. Firstly the recession is biting hard- people arent confident to go out and spend as consumers or entrepreneurs. PLUS, asking rents and rates are far to high. The empty units in the Library building (next to Tesco Express) are about £50,000 per annum. This has killed off Bathstore, Evesham, the cafe, Cotswold store and more. The rents in the empty Nova building (where the old C & A was) are around £80,000 a year... even in the Triangle, excessive rents mean that a good business idea has little chance of success.
The cultural reason for empty shops and offices is that our once 'nation of shopkeepers' as Napoleon called us, is now a thing of the past. The vast majority of Brits would rather sit in front of a PC, work Monday to Friday 9 to 5. People crave the familarity of work routine and job security. To start and run a business takes a lot of effort, courage, imagination, money and determination - it is rare to find this in one person.