Sex shop set to get green light
By Jo Deeks on Thursday, 3rd October 2002.
PLANS to open a sex shop in Haverhill look set to be given the go-ahead despite a storm of protest over the idea.
Mark Simpkin’s application for a licence to run a sex shop at the former Bargain Centre in Queen Street is to be considered by St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee on October 10.
A report to the committee recommends the licence be approved, subject to standard conditions relating to the external appearance of the building, the minimum age of customers admitted and the manner in which goods are sold.
Opening hours would be 10am-8pm Monday to Saturday.
Councillors were told 101 objections had been raised to the application, as well as two representations in favour of it and a petition of support containing 326 signatures.
Suffolk Police raised no objection.
Objectors are concerned the location is used by children and young people on the way to Castle Manor Upper School and the premises are opposite a sweet shop and next to a family restaurant.
There have also been moral and religious objections.
Supporters say the applicant is from a local family who have traded in the town for years and would not wish to offend Haverhill residents.
They say the shop is not on the ground floor and should be encouraged to promote safer sex messages.
The report points out the only grounds on which a licence could be refused would be if the applicant were unsuitable, there were an excessive number of sex establishments already or where the character of the locality made it inappropriate.
“Based on the considerations above, officers can see no overriding reason why the licence should not be issued,” the report says.
“It is worth noting that similar premises opened in Bury St Edmunds a few years ago.This generated a large public outcry. It was decided the shop did not require a licence due to the balance of material sold. However, it does still sell some ‘adult material’. Since the initial opening no further complaints have been received and the premises are still trading.”
Mark Simpkin’s application for a licence to run a sex shop at the former Bargain Centre in Queen Street is to be considered by St Edmundsbury Borough Council’s Licensing and Regulatory Committee on October 10.
A report to the committee recommends the licence be approved, subject to standard conditions relating to the external appearance of the building, the minimum age of customers admitted and the manner in which goods are sold.
Opening hours would be 10am-8pm Monday to Saturday.
Councillors were told 101 objections had been raised to the application, as well as two representations in favour of it and a petition of support containing 326 signatures.
Suffolk Police raised no objection.
Objectors are concerned the location is used by children and young people on the way to Castle Manor Upper School and the premises are opposite a sweet shop and next to a family restaurant.
There have also been moral and religious objections.
Supporters say the applicant is from a local family who have traded in the town for years and would not wish to offend Haverhill residents.
They say the shop is not on the ground floor and should be encouraged to promote safer sex messages.
The report points out the only grounds on which a licence could be refused would be if the applicant were unsuitable, there were an excessive number of sex establishments already or where the character of the locality made it inappropriate.
“Based on the considerations above, officers can see no overriding reason why the licence should not be issued,” the report says.
“It is worth noting that similar premises opened in Bury St Edmunds a few years ago.This generated a large public outcry. It was decided the shop did not require a licence due to the balance of material sold. However, it does still sell some ‘adult material’. Since the initial opening no further complaints have been received and the premises are still trading.”
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