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20th November    Lush in Norfolk...
Lush XXX

Cloverfield Industrial Estate
Lopham Road
East Harling
Norfolk

 
 
Licence granted for village sex shop

East HarlingA businessman who imports and distributes porn videos across the country was granted a licence for sex shop in an industrial unit on the edge of a Norfolk village.

Chris Bottrell, of East Harling, currently runs a wholesale video operation from the village's Cloverfield Industrial Estate at Lopham Road.

He wants to open a shop called Lush XXX on the first floor of the unit, which would sell sex products to personal visitors and by internet sales and mail order.

Breckland Council's general purposes committee agreed on Wednesday to grant a sex establishment licence but Bottrell will still need to get change of use planning permission.

Members heard objections from another local businessman as well as being told there had been opposition from four villagers. There were claims that many local people had not been aware of the plans as they had not seen the application notices. But the committee decided there was “no sustainable reason to refuse it.”

Bottrell's solicitor Brian Hardy told councillors the business would be “discreet” and there would be no windows or a shop front and the advertising signs would only be on display when it is open between 9.30am and 9pm.

Solicitor Nigel George, who was representing Andrew Taylor who owns other units on the estate, said it would be close to a large housing development and schools and the church: It is a wholly inappropriate place for a sex shop. If you have got people driving around the country lanes trying to find a sex shop which they cannot find, are they the type of people you would want asking directions from children?

 

19th November    Nice 'n' Erotica...
Nice 'n' Naughty

129 Brook Street
Chester
CH1 3DU

Nice n Naughty Chester

 
 
Nice 'n' Naughty at Erotica 07
Erotica 07 logoWith 11 licensed stores & an online presence too we offer a huge selection of adult products, and having won the prestigious ETO Adult Retailer of the year for 3 consecutive years (2005/06/07) – our customers can buy with confidence and complete peace of mind.

Nice N Naughty also has a large presence at the Erotica show this year - (Stand C16) & (Stand C14) right next to each other. With over 2000 DVD’s to choose from, and plenty of special offers, we have something for everyone, and customers will literally be spoilt for choice.

Jessica PriceIn addition the world famous superstars of the Adult Industry, Wicked Pictures contract girls - Jessica Drake & Kirsten Price will be on (Stand C14) to sign the actual DVD’s they star in! If that wasn’t enough, the well know Jack Napier the highly acclaimed star and director Vince Vouyer & will be on the stand too, signing the latest Vouyer Media DVD’s!

The Wicked Pictures DVD’s themselves are in a league of their own and must be seen to be believed! We stock all the latest releases including the multi award winning Manhunters R18 DVD, which is available to purchase from stand C16, then it can be signed by the girls who starred in it on Stand C14

Kirsten PriceManhunters (from Wicked Pictures) won 7 AVN Awards. The Most ever in the AVN award pictur:

  • Best Film
  • Best Screenplay - Film
  • Kristen Price - Best Supporting Actress
  • Jessica Drake - Best Actress
  • Best Anal Scene - Film
  • Randy Spears - Best Actor - Film
  • Best Director

Bail jumpers beware… There’s a whole new breed of bounty hunters in town. And hell hath no fury like a woman with a badge. But don’t be fooled by their soft curves, these bounty-hunting bitches are as tough as nails, and ready for anything.

Vince & JackFollow Rachel (jessica drake) and her crew Kris (Carmen Hart), Bobbi (Kirsten Price), and Maria (Exotica) as they scour the city in search of fugitives. From gang-bangers, to bank robbers, to thug rappers, they’re hot on the trail. And be assured, these ladies always get their man.

This “shot on film” blockbuster is a true piece of “action-erotica”. With nine intense sex scenes and edge of your seat action sequences, Manhunters is sure to entertain and arouse. Award winning director Brad Armstrong blurs the line between adult movies and mainstream cinema once again… This time, with a little help from these bad-ass bounty hunters.

Check out the links below for more information:
www.wickedpictures.com
www.wickedpictures-uk.co.uk
www.jessicadrake.com
www.wickedpictures.com/girl/kirsten_price?

See further information regarding the film’s and stars popularity/achievements

 

17th November    Good Times...
Big in Amsterdam

Tib Street
Mancheter
 
Philosophical sex shop

Big in Amsterdam frontageA presumably unlicensed and temporary adult DVD/video shop has been spotted in Manchester.

It has a window display with a philosophical banner saying: We are here for a good time, not a long time!

Having a good time is surely something that UK authorities simply don't accept

 

15th November    Rights Abuse in Ireland...
Shaunas

144 Capel Street
Dublin

Every day: 9am-11pm 

 
Hardcore DVD censorship without justification

Shauna's Adult ShopThe owner of an adult shop in is seeking a court order to allow a certificate for a pornographic movie described as "obscene" and "indecent".

Jaqueline Byrne, of Capel Street, Dublin, who is the owner of Shauna's adult store, has taken proceedings against the Official Censor and the Censorship of Films Appeals Board.

Ms Byrne is seeking a court order quashing the censor's refusal to grant her a certificate for a pornographic movie entitled Anabolic Initiations No 5.

She claims the Appeal Board's decision, which she was informed of in July 2006, amounted to unfair procedure and contrary to natural justice because it gave no reasons for its decision.

The defendants deny the claims. They claim that reasons for the refusal were given to the applicant.

Yesterday, Anthony Collins, for Ms Byrne, told the High Court that in April 2004 his client was informed by the Official Censor that her application to have the film certified was being refused. The censor said in his decision that the work was unfit for viewing because it contained material that was "obscene or indecent", that would "deprave or corrupt persons who might view it".

That decision was appealed. A report prepared by UK-based psychologist and academic Denis Howitt, who has written extensively on the effects of pornography, was submitted to the board.

Howitt said that the type of pornographic material depicted in Anabolic Initiations No 5 could be classified as erotic as opposed to pornography deemed to be either sexually violent or degrading and dehumanising.

However, on July 12, 2006, Ms Byrne was informed that the Appeal Board was upholding the Censor's earlier decision to prohibit the work.

Collins said that the board gave no reasons why certification was refused. He said that Ms Byrne was entitled to know why a certificate was not awarded.

The court also heard that the film was available from licensed operators in the United Kingdom.

The action continues.

 

12th November    Pimp My Shop...
SA Lingerie

8 Market Place
Hertford
Herts
SG14 1DF
 
Hertford's SA Lingerie wins ETO award

ETO logoSA Lingerie has won a national competition, Pimp My Shop, a competition run amongst readers of the adult trade magazine, ETO.

The idea behind Pimp My Shop, launched at the ETO Show in July was that the prize would really make a difference to the winner, and some of the industry’s leading names lent their support to it, the total value of the prize could be worth as much as £25,000.

The East Hertfordshire Adult Store, SA Lingerie, fought off tough competition from other independent adult shops from across the UK to win this “once in a lifetime” prize.

Speaking shortly after hearing about the win, Wendy Stevenson, owner of SA Lingerie was delighted: It is an amazing opportunity for us, the new products that will make up some of the prize will be fantastic, giving more choice to our customers, also the advice that we will receive will certainly put us in good steed when it comes to opening our second shop, in Stevenage, North Herts in the next couple of weeks.

Along with new products and a new shop counter for the Hertford store Wendy also intends to use this chance to re-brand her shop to SWALK Adult Store, showing our customers that we supply not only lingerie but all adult toys, novelties and dvds and perhaps a little bit of a trip down memory lane for all those that remember using the phrase SWALK for their loved ones!!

 

7th November    Doddering Old Worthing...
   
Third attempt for a sex shop licence

Secret Desires shop in WorthingKathy Sutton, owner of Secret Desires in Rowlands Road has submitted her third application for a licence to Worthing Borough Council, having been unsuccessful in 2006 and earlier this year.

Ms Sutton first opened the shop in 2005, sparking nutter 'outrage'. Her first licence application was refused in January, 2006, because licensing committee members felt it would be inappropriate to have a fully licensed sex shop in the area, because of objections received and because there are two children's homes and a nursery nearby.

Despite this, Ms Sutton decided to run Secret Desires as though it was licensed, as a fully licensed shop had more regulations to follow she allowed only over-18s inside and had the windows covered up. The idea was to show residents how little effect it would have on the area.

But after her second application was refused on the same grounds in January this year, she started running it as the unlicensed shop it was. This meant uncovering the windows so people could see inside and allowing people of all ages to shop there.

According to Ms Sutton, the only difference having a licence would mean would be she could stock R18-rated adult films.

She said: There is a demand for what we sell and since we opened there have not been any problems. House prices have not dropped and there has not been an increase in crime. When is the licensing committee going to start listening?

Nutter Steve Stevens has been fighting against the shop since it first opened: I will put on an even stronger campaign this year and, if needed, I will bring down a barrister for the licensing hearing. Ms Sutton is very foolish if she thinks she will be successful. We have kept this town without a licensed sex shop since 1984 and we intend on keeping it that way. She wants to make money out of perverted people who want hardcore porn. This town does not want a licensed sex shop.

The licensing hearing is expected to be held in February.

 

29th October  Update:  Belfast council MissBehavin'...
   
Sex shop to be prosecuted after Euro court option lapses

Belfast ArmsL Morality above the lawBelfast City Council officials are determined to finally prosecute an Ulster sex shop this week.

The council's court case against adult entertainment outlet, Miss Behavin' was adjourned at Belfast Magistrates Court last Tuesday.

That makes the fourth time this year the charge against the Gresham Street shop of using premises as a sex establishment without a licence has not been heard!

But the case against Miss Behavin's owner is almost certain to be finally heard on Tuesday.

Proceedings against the Smithfield sex shop ground to a halt last July after Miss Behavin's legal team revealed that it was planning to bring Belfast City Council to the European Court of Human Rights, for refusing to grant it a licence.

Court hearings were adjourned in August, September and last week - as a result of the mooted action.

But, with the deadline for lodging the Strasbourg application passing last Thursday, insiders at Belfast City Council are now optimistic that the case will be heard with this week.


31st October  Update:  Applying for Freedom of Expression...
   
Belfast sex shop owners goes to European court

Belfast ArmsL Morality above the lawThe owner of a Belfast sex shop trading without a licence is taking his case to the European Court of Human Rights, it has been revealed in court.

Earlier this year the House of Lords backed Belfast City Council's blanket ban on sex shops.

However, a number have continued trading in the Gresham Street area.

A lawyer for the owner of one, Miss Behavin, who is being prosecuted by the council, told Belfast Magistrates Court he was taking his case to Europe.

The defence was applying for an adjournment of the case as an application was being made under Article 10 of the European Convention, the right to freedom of expression.

The council's solicitor opposed an adjournment which he described as an exercise in prevarication.

Resident Magistrate Ken Nixon granted an adjournment until 13 November for confirmation that the European court hearing was going ahead.

 

26th October    Jesus Loves Us All...

Nice 'n' Naughty

Nice 'n' Naughty

16 Colquitt Street
Liverpool
Merseyside
L1 4DE

Tel: 0151 708 9207

Liverpool  Colquitt Street store

www.nicennaughty.co.uk

 
...Except sex shop employees

Nice 'n' Naughty carA Liverpool priest has given adult lingerie store Nice N Naughty a dressing down for parking one of their delivery vans near his church.

Father Kenny Hyde from (we think) St Vincent de Paul Church slapped a warning notice and a handwritten letter on the van after seeing it parked on St James’s Street.

It threatened to have the vehicle towed away and report the company to the police.

This is a catholic church. If there was a funeral on today I would have had your car towed away. Don’t park here, said the note which was signed Father Kenny Hyde, Parish Priest.

The priest also phoned the store to tell staff he felt it was “disrespectful” to park a Nice N Naughty van near a church.

Nice N Naughty area manager Lindsay Tweddell said: There’s a real lack of on-street parking in the city at the moment, so I decided that on the day I wasn’t going to be using the van for a few hours I’d park away from the traffic restrictions and walk to work.

I went back to move the van and saw a large orange sticker had been stuck to the windscreen saying Don’t Park Here. I also notice the letter which had been placed behind the wiper,
added Lindsay.

 

22nd October    Fear of the Night...
   
Nutters mount petition against Romford shop

Petition at Night ThoughtsMore than 6,000 people have signed a petition against a proposed sex shop inside Romford’s Liberty shopping centre.

Nutters claim the shop, Night Thoughts, would put people off visiting Romford and affect the local economy.

Residents Association leader Eamon Mahon met with Havering Council leader Michael White (Con) and a Phillip Wallis, a representative from GHP Group, which is the firm behind the proposal, on Friday.

Mahon said: We hope this petition will convince everyone who needs to be convinced that a sex shop is not wanted in this town. I believe this shop would be the further erosion of a family-orientated town.

If this shop gets permission, then the floodgates would open for others and it would become like a red light ghetto. A shop like this would have a captive audience already, so it could relocate on an industrial estate.

GHP hopes to open the store in a double-fronted unit – formerly home to Littlewoods – in the Liberty.

The matter reached the High Court earlier this year when Liberty officials erected hoardings in front of the store to hide mannequins holding ‘provocative’ equipment in the shop window. A judge ruled both the hoardings and the mannequins be removed.

The store currently displays large blue banners, saying: Coming soon. Night Thoughts. An exciting new concept for the broad-minded.

The firm would need to be granted a licence to open the shop by Havering Council. A spokesman for the authority said no decision has yet been made.

 

20th October    Displaying Concern...

SimplyPleasure.COM

51 Blackwell Street
DY10 2EE

Mon-Thu: 9.30am-6pm
Fri-Sat: 9.30am-8pm

Tel: 01562 68856

Simply Pleasure
shop details at
www.simplypleasure.com

  

 
Of sex shop display offending Muslims

Simply Pleasure

Plans for a window display at a Kidderminster sex shop have come under fire amid fears it could offend the town’s Muslim community.

But the owner, himself a Muslim, today said the fears were unfounded. Simply Pleasure.com has applied to change its licence so it can display items such as lingerie in its Horsefair store.

But the move has led to protests from both a councillor and a church leader in the town who say it could offend both Muslims and other members of the community.

Wyre Forest District Councillor Fran Oborski said: I wouldn’t want them to display items in the window. I don’t object to the shop’s existence but I think the local Muslim community would be very upset if goods were displayed in the window as I am sure other members of the community would be too.

Canon Owain Bell chairman of the Horsefair, Broadwaters and Greenhill Partnership, said: I think it would cause offence to quite a few people. At the moment the shop is fairly inoffensive. You know what they are but you don’t see anything.

But Tim Hemming, owner of Simply Pleasure.com said: It would not be offensive to the Muslim community because I am a Muslim. We have 38 licensed sex shops in the country and 50 per cent have open windows. The open window will have nothing offensive just lingerie and other items that people would see in other high street stores like Ann Summers and Le Senza.


29th October  Update:  Distracted by Inanity...

SimplyPleasure.COM

51 Blackwell Street
DY10 2EE

Mon-Thu: 9.30am-6pm
Fri-Sat: 9.30am-8pm

Tel: 01562 68856

Simply Pleasure
shop details at
www.simplypleasure.com

  

 
Sex shop window display turned down as distracting

Simply Pleasure

Plans for a window display at a Kidderminster sex shop have fallen at the first hurdle after councillors refused to give them their backing.

Simply Pleasure had asked for permission to put lingerie and skimpy clothing in the window of its Horsefair store.

But members of Wyre Forest District Council’s licensing and environmental committee said an “explicit display” would not be in keeping with its location. There were fears a saucy shop window could be distracting for drivers and inappropriate because of the amount of people, including children, walking past.

Councillor Peter Dyke said at the meeting yesterday: It would be distracting to people on what is a busy and quite narrow road.

Simply Pleasure’s area manager for the West Midlands, John Simpson, said: If Marks & Spencer or Ann Summers want to display lingerie in their windows they can but because we have a “sex establishment licence” we can’t.

The committee’s decision is now expected to be rubber-stamped by the council.

 

18th October    Immoral Objections...
   
Nutter councillor cites moral objection to sex shop

Private Shops UKBradford nutters have objected after two sex shops on the same street applied to have their licences renewed.

Darker Enterprises has applied to Bradford Council for the renewal of a sex shop licence for premises at 149 Manningham Lane, Bradford, while Kevin Haigh has applied to renew the licence at nearby Scene One, located at 145 Manningham Lane.

A petition, signed by 96 nutters, has been raised on the grounds that sex shops are inappropriate for the local community and businesses in the area, as well as being a bad influence for children.

Meanwhile, Councillor Qasim Khan has submitted a letter of objection to the Council's Miscellaneous Licences Panel, which will consider the applications during its next meeting on Friday at City Hall.

Khan said: As a local businessman, chairman of governors at a local primary school and a ward councillor, I hereby object to the renewal of licence to operate an adult shop at 149 Manningham Lane, Bradford.

The local community strongly objects to having this sex shop in the area. I believe the licence should be revoked because this sex shop would have and has had detrimental effect on the young children.

The children need to be protected from the immoral and corrupting influence.


A Council officers' report, to go before the licensing committee, points out case law has stated moral grounds are not a relevant consideration when determining an application for a licence. The report said previous applications for renewal were processed without objection.


23rd October  Update:  Bradford Renewal...
   
Morality councillor upset at sex shop licence renewals

Private Shops UKTwo sex shops in Manningham have been given the green light to stay open after Bradford Council renewed their licences.

Councillor Mohammed Ishrat Mirza said: They have ignored our petition and our opinions. We are not happy and are planning to have a demonstration next week.

Update: Protest

28th October 2007

Objectors stood outside the Manningham Lane shop yesterday hoping to prevent the store from staying open

Update: Sundays

8th December 2007

The Private Shop on Manningham Lane has been granted a licence to trade between 10am to 4pm on Sundays after a mistake on a renewal application form earlier this year.

Bradford Council's Miscel-laneous Licences Panel heard how a "typographical error" on the form meant the Sunday opening hours were omitted.

Yesterday, the panel agreed to reinstate the hours despite objections.

 

12th September   London Playboy...
 

   
Bin the Bunny campaign logo
Supporting the hype for the London Playboy Store

Based on an article from Bin the Bunny 

Playboy Enterprises are opening a ‘concept’ store in London this September.

The shop will open on Oxford Street in September and sell the usual Playboy merchandise and will have a room where they will show Playboy archive footage.

Nutters from the London branch of Anti-Porn UK have launched a campaign against the opening of the Playboy store, Bin the Bunny.

The campaign is aimed at raising awareness through protests, a series of short films and lobbying.

The London Playboy Store on Oxford Street is the 8th retail store in the world dedicated to Playboy, and joins the likes of stores in Las Vegas, Tokyo, Melbourne, Hong Kong, Kuala Lumpur, Bangkok and Auckland.

The store will feature a 6m-wide spiral staircase linking the lower ground, ground and first floors. Playboy will occupy all five floors of the 19th century Dutch-gabled building, using two levels as office space.


21st September   Update: Playboy Branded Clothing...
 

   
Bin the Bunny campaign logoNot even a Playboy magazine in the Playboy Store

Perhaps even Charliegrrl would appove

From Product Reviews see full article 

Playboy’s global flagship store has opened in London and has surprised many shoppers.

Expecting the unexpected when they stepped in the store, they realised that there was nothing in there that would make your grandmother blush in the words of the Playboy press officer.

Everyone expected the Playboy boutique to be packed to the rafters with whips, handcuffs and of course, rampant rabbits but shoppers were surprised when they saw a whole lot of bunny-branded clothes, accessories and homeware.

Inside, the shop looks like any other glamorous clothes shop along Oxford street, the only difference? The prominent Playboy logo than adorns every item - from the £600 diamante-encrusted leather jacket to the pink tracksuit bottoms and the leopard print cushions.

The underwear section doesn’t get any more racy than what you’d find in Marks and Spencer and if you’re looking for a bunny girl outfit, you’re going to be disappointed.


26th October   Update: Playing Pickets...
 

   
Bin the Bunny campaign logoNutters picket London Playboy Store

Based on an article from Bin the Bunny 

Only two days after its official launch, the Playboy store in Oxford Street was subject to a demonstration by the Bin The Bunny campaign.

Nutters picketed the store from 12 to 6pm on Saturday 29th September and handed out hundreds of leaflets, postcards, stickers and Playboy quizzes with information about Playboy Enterprises. The main aim for the day was to raise awareness amongst the public about the pornography behind the Playboy brand and bunny logo.

Nutters noted that the new Playboy store did not attract much custom. Whether this was due to the protest or simply down to shoppers not taking an interest in the store and its merchandise remains to be seen.

 

11th October    Lady Love Story...
   
Exeter sex shop pioneer dies

An Exeter sex shop pioneer, Peter Spokes, has died aged 65.

Spokes, who ran the Fantasy World fancy dress shop in Fore Street, earned his place in Exeter's retailing annals after he opened the Lady Love sex shop in Fore Street.

That prompted a long-running and, at times, bitter battle with city council licensing officials.

In 1980, Spokes was cleared at Exeter Crown Court of having obscene articles for publication for gain and awarded costs.

He had always denied a charge of having seven magazines and 17 hard-core pornographic films hidden at the back of his Lady Love shop and that he hired them out or sold them for gain.

In 1984, the council again took on Spokes banning Exeter's three sex shops, including The Lady Love medical goods store he owned in Fore Street.

Spokes angrily denounced the move at a behind-closed-doors decision and threatened to appeal through the British and European courts: I believe people have a right to read what they want, but soon we will be watched over by a "big brother" with police breaking down doors and burning the books councillors do not like.

In 1990, father-of-two Mr Spokes was ordered to pay more than £20,000 and forfeit 50 films after he was found guilty of supplying unclassified sex videos at his sex shop. It followed a swoop by trading substandards' officials on Mint Carnival Supplies and Exe Medical Supplies, of Fore Street.

In October, 1992, he was given a 12-month sentence by city magistrates for non-payment of the 1990 fine - but had the term halved on appeal after it was discovered he had been given the maximum sentence the court could have imposed.

Then, in January, 1997, Spokes was jailed for nine months at Exeter Crown Court after selling pornographic videos to an undercover trading standards officer.

In recent years, Spokes has traded successfully in Fore Street with Fantasy World, a fancy dress store supplying many costumes for charity events.

The funeral will be held at the Devon and Exeter Crematorium on Friday 12th October at 3.15pm

 

9th September   Undesirables In Brentwood...
 

   
Sex Shop Fury for Nutters
Nutters celebrate sex shop licence refusal

Based on an article from This is Total Essex  see full article

Plans for a licensed sex shop in North Hutton, Brentwood have been rejected by the local council.

Nutters supported by the local rag, The Gazette, claimed that Brentwood's first sex shop would attract "undesirables" and undo vital community work tackling the anti-social behaviour plaguing the area.

Leading critic Cllr Louise Monnickendam said: This has been a battle won for decency and for residents living in the area - particularly those young and elderly. I didn't want to see people who were going to go down there for perverse reasons. Not everyone is an undesirable, but a shop like this will attract them if it is there.

Addressing the Brentwood Borough Council planning meeting on Monday night, she had argued the shop could have left surrounding paths - including a cut-through leading from the shop's home on the Tallon Road industrial estate - littered with the remnants of sexual deviancy.

Monday night's no-vote from Brentwood borough councillors follows a failed bid in 2004 for a sex shop close to Brentwood railway station.

 

29th August   Sex Shop Sand Storm...

Nice 'n' Naughty

129 Brook Street
Chester
CH1 3DU

Nice n Naughty Chester

   
Buried in the sandEgypt buries our heads in the sand

From Nice 'n' Naughty

A Warrington businessman hoping to build an adult lingerie store in Egypt has made international headlines.

Simon Prescott, managing director of Nice ‘n’ Naughty, was at the centre of a major AVN story after revealing how planning officers in Sharm El Sheikh responded to his initial enquiries.

The matter came up while Mr Prescott, whose company is living up to its Investors in People status, was overseeing the development of a villa to be used by all 41 employees from his 11-store business empire as a reward for their hard work.

He approached one of the planning officers on the construction site asking for his opinion on opening a sex shop in Sharm El Sheik.

Mr Prescott said I didn’t know whether to laugh or drive away very quickly when the officer said, ‘If you want to be buried alive in the middle of the desert with only your head sticking out for the eagles to pluck out your eyes, then yes my friend, go ahead and good luck’.

While his plans to expand the business overseas have been put temporarily on hold Mr Prescott says his UK stores are committed to promoting public awareness of changes in the adult industry and eliminating the stigma associated with adult shops.

 

23rd August   Not So Sexy Sales...
 

   
Ann Summers logoReduced profits at Ann Summers

From The Telegraph see full article

Profits at lingerie and sex toys retailer Ann Summers halved last year - despite an ambitious expansion plan.

Accounts filed at Companies House earlier this month reveal that in the 12 months ended June 2006, pre-tax profits fell to £1.53m, down from £3m the year before.

Sales fell from £117m to £110m over the same period despite the opening of 12 new stores.

Jacqueline Gold recently announced ambitious plans to expand Ann Summers into Europe as the retailer faces increasing competition on the high street, with chemists such as Superdrug and Boots selling a limited range of sex toys.

 

20th June   Moral Highgrounders...
 

   
Belfast ArmsL Morality above the lawBelfast council refuse sex shop licenses and then persecute resulting unlicensed trade

Based on an press release from DETI  see full article

A Belfast sex shop owner was fined a total of £2000 at Belfast Magistrates' Court for offences under the Video Recordings Act.

In two cases, brought by the Trading Standards Service of the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Investment, Brian Hope, trading as 'Naughty Butt Nice' at 2 Smithfield Square, Belfast and as 'Gresham Bookshop' at 2 Gresham Street, Belfast, pleaded guilty to sixteen charges under the Act.

Mr Connor, Resident Magistrate, imposed a £2000 fine in relation to two charges and gave a conditional discharge for three years for each of the remaining fourteen charges.

In June 2006, as part of a Trading Standards Service exercise into the trading practices of the adult entertainment outlets, commonly referred to as sex shops, in the centre of Belfast, trading standards officers visited the premises of 'Naughty Butt Nice' and the 'Gresham Bookshop'.

Over 500 videos and DVDs were seized, either because they were unclassified or were marked with an 'R18' classification. Hope was not in possession of a sex shop licence.

The court also agreed to a forfeiture order in respect of the seized items.


4th July   Update: Belfast Bollox...
 

   
Belfast ArmsL Morality above the lawRights abusing council persecutes sex shops

Based on an article from u.tv  see full article

Sex shop opponents demanded tougher punishments today after six outlets in central Belfast were fined a total of £3,000 for operating without licences.

Magistrates ordered the owners to pay up in cases brought by the City Council.

Kevin Robinson and Ian Oglesby, trading as Private Lines and Perfect Pleasures respectively, were each fined £500. Sharman Enterprises received the same penalty for separate premises trading as Miss Tique and Private. Belfast Magistrates` Court also imposed two £500 fines on Brian Hope, trading as Naughty Butt Nice and Gresham Book Shop.

The prosecutions followed the House of Lords earlier this year backing the City Council`s decision not to grant a sex shop licence.

Jim Kirkpatrick, a DUP councillor who chairs the authority`s Licensing Committee, said: It`s a bit of a joke. Porn videos can be purchased for one euro in Amsterdam and will sell in this country for £50. [yeah yeah]

Kirkpatrick questioned whether the courts knew just how much money can be made through the porn business: Perhaps if they were they would adjust their penalties to be in line with what`s required.

[Perhaps the magistrates suspected that the council had refused to grant any at all licenses on moral grounds, which is of course illegal].


7th July   Update: Radio Ulster Debate...
 

   
Belfast ArmsL Morality above the lawRights campaigner vs rights abuser

Thanks to Ian

If you have access to BBC Radio Ulster, the Nolan Show on Monday should feature a skirmish of sex shop proprietor, Ian Brown, against the machine, in the shape of the councillor who made the comments against the fines being too low in Belfast.

Update: Prudishness in Belfast

8th July

Based on an article from the The Sunday Business Post

Belfast’s sex-shops, all of whom trade illegally, look set to move from their downtown locations to an industrial estate on the edge of the city, following a House of Lords decision to uphold the city council’s refusal to license the shops.

The council maintains that the shops must be at least 500 yards from churches, schools and residential areas.

But with huge legal bills, and the threat of a hefty fine for continued trading, Gresham Street’s sex shops now look likely to move to Duncrue industrial estate, en masse.

That means that Belfast would be the first city in Ireland with a designated zone for sex shops.

The decision follows news that Newtownabbey Council, ironically one of the most conservative in the North, recently granted a licence to a sex shop in Mallusk industrial estate, on the outskirts of north Belfast.

A city council source said applications for sex shops in industrial estates would be looked at with an ‘‘open mind’’.

‘People are under the misapprehension that our decisions are based on prudishness; that is not the case, said the source.

Comment: Sexclusion Zones

From Alan

Fascinating idea - not allowing sex shops within 500 yards of schools and churches.

Couldn't this be turned around? I think it would be an excellent idea to ban schools and churches within 500 yards of sex shops. Then punters wouldn't be disturbed during their deliberations on which mucky video to buy by the sound of out-of-tune hymn-sing or squealing ankle biters in the playground.


13th August   Update: Rights Abuse in Belfast...
 

   
Belfast ArmsL Morality above the lawCouncil may be taken to European Court

From the Belfast Telegraph see full article

A Belfast sex shop is set to square up against the city council in court again next month.

For the long running legal bust up between Smithfield adult entertainment outlet Miss Behavin' and Belfast City Council is set for its latest chapter at the Magistrates' Court next month.

Last week, the sex shop licence saga, which has been running since May 2002, was adjourned until September 4. The reason given in court was that the defence was "not ready to proceed" with the case to face a charge of using premises as a sex establishment without a licence.

Last month, Sunday Life revealed that the owner of the Gresham Street outlet is investigating the possibility of taking the case to the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg.

It is believed that they have until October 25, 2007 to lodge an application with the European Court.


14th August   Update: 001...
 

   
Belfast ArmsL Morality above the lawFirst Northern Ireland sex shop licencee

From the Belfast Telegraph see full article

One Ulsterman supplies stock for most of the sex shops throughout Ireland. He has also recently obtained the first ever licence for a legal sex shop in the province.

David Christie runs CBC Distribution, which is Ireland's only cash and carry distributor of goods for adult shops. He also owns the only licence for a sex shop in Ulster, recently granted to him by Newtownabbey Borough Council for his Mallusk base.

This means that in addition to his wholesale business, selling stock to more than 40 adult stores across Ireland, members of the public can now walk through the front door and purchase over the counter a wide array of sex toys, lingerie and 'R18' films.

In reality, most of what is in David's shop is not at all shocking and, porn films aside, similar to what you might find in any Ann Summers shop on the high street. There are various lines in lingerie, PVC and rubber outfits and a range of novelty adult gifts which would be popular for hen and stag nights. As you move further into the shop the shelves stock multiple condoms and lubricants as well as sex toys. Right at the back are the magazines and DVDs.

The battle for legitimacy for the sex retail industry in Ulster has been difficult.

Belfast City Council has turned down a series of applications for licences for sex shops in the city centre and recently won a case in the House of Lords which ruled it was not a contravention of a sex shop owner's human rights to deny a licence. The council has followed up this court victory with a string of prosecutions against a number of adult entertainment outlets which operate without a licence. Councillors have argued that the city centre is not a suitable location for sex shops.

However, David Christie has managed to sidestep many of these difficulties with a simple solution. Because his shop is in an industrial estate the argument that innocent people who happen to be passing can be corrupted is negated. His shop is so remote and inconspicuous that it would be virtually impossible to find by accident.

David believes what he has done has opened the way for sex shops across Northern Ireland. I believe this opens doors. Up to now councils have always had legal arguments for turning people down.

I think it will lead the way for other councils and others might look at the idea of having it in an industrial estate. There could be lots more applications and lots more sex shops opening up. You could have legal sex shops in most towns in a few years.


15th August   Update: Immorality...
 

   
Belfast ArmsL Morality above the lawCouncillors commit the crime, shopkeepers get the fine

Belfast council refuse to give licenses seemingly without adequate justification, then they blame the shops for trading without a licence.

Based on an article from the 4NI.co.uk see full article

The owner of Belfast sex shop, Misstique, has been fined a total of £546 at Belfast Magistrates' Court for offences under the Video Recordings Act.

In a case brought by Trading SubStandards, Christopher Hallam, who trades as Misstique at 27 Gresham Street, Belfast, today pleaded guilty to eight charges under the Act.

On 19 June 2006, Trading Standards Officers visited the premises of Misstique as part of an exercise into the trading practices of sex shops in the centre of Belfast.

Over 300 DVDs and videos were seized, either because they were unclassified or were marked with an R18 classification.

DVDs and videos are required to be marked with a classification and those marked with an R18 classification can only be sold in a licensed sex shop. Hallam was not in possession of such a license.

The court also agreed to a forfeiture order in respect of the video tapes and DVDs, which had been seized.

 

25th July   Three Cheers...

Nice 'n' Naughty

129 Brook Street (Near train station)
Chester
CH1 3DU

Mon-Sat: 9am-8pm
Sun 10am-5pm

contact: Simon and Trish
Tel:  08707 427261

Nice n Naughty Chester

 

   
Adult Retailer of the YearNice 'n' Naughty, Adult Retailer of the Year

Congratulations to our sponsors Nice 'n' Naughty

From Nice 'n' Naughty

Champage corks have been popping for the UK’s fastest growing adult store after it firm claimed the Retailer of the Year title for the third year running.

There were cries of delight from the team and the loudest cheer of the evening from the audience as the Nice N Naughty team rushed to collect the sought after prize at the Erotic Trade Only (ETO) awards, held at Birmingham NEC.

The rapidly expanding company, which has grown from humble beginnings in Chester to an 11-store business empire, beat off competition from five other short listed companies to seize the title and company directors Simon Prescott and Trish Murray are thrilled at winning.

It’s absolutely incredible, said Simon: I was so nervous, it’s the most sought after award, like the best film category at the Oscars. The tension was unbelievable and when they read out our name I just couldn’t believe it. To have won it twice was fantastic but to get the treble is unheard of.

The award is voted for by the industry itself and it’s the second time Nice ‘n’ Naughty, which is the only adult store accredited with the prestigious Investor in People Award, has beaten, amongst others, high street retailer Anne Summers to the coveted title.

Trish added: It’s such an achievement to think where we are today from where we started eight years ago to the day next week. When we opened the Chester branch on July 31st 1999 we really, really struggled but the public’s attitude has changed. This award is voted for by the industry itself its great to know we are so well respected and acknowledged by our peers. But it demonstrates the high quality of our modern and appealing stores and also our friendly and knowledgeable staff.

 

7th July   Temptations to Nutters...
 

   
Temptations sex shopNutters protest at licence renewal but website readers think otherwise

Thanks to Claude & 'contact al - the punters pal'
Based on an article from Halifax Courier s

A supposed volley of protest has been lodged against a Halifax sex shop's attempts to renew its licence.

Several people have sent letters to Calderdale Council, demanding that Temptations, at 51 Crown Street, be closed down.

They claim it is a danger to society, encourages crime and disorder and harms children. But former licensing committee chairman Grenville Horsfall said there had been no problems with the business since it was first licensed in 2004 and no objections from police.

Most people walking past would not even give it a second glance, said Councillor Horsfall

Temptations director Alan Brook of Manchester, people were entitled to their opinions about sex shops.

However, it is not my intention to upset residents and if there are any problems I can rectify I will do so.

In letter to the council, one objector said: I am a Bible-believing person and consider sex, in a married relationship of one man and one woman, should be sacred, fulfilling and unique.

Another attacked the "damage" the shop could have on teenagers. It said: I consider it harmful for children to be exposed to this type of establishment within shopping areas of town, especially as many young teenage girls like to browse shops.

The letters are among 10 in a report to the licensing committee which meets on Monday. The licence for Temptations, which costs £2,191, was renewed in 2005 without objection and again last year.

Update: Where's the fun gone out of life?

Based on an article from Halifax Courier see full article

Courier website readers have rushed to the defence of a sex shop which wants to renew its licence.

Since we reported a protest lodged against the attempts of Temptations at 51, Crown Street, Halifax, to have its licence renewed, we have been inundated with comments from readers.

Over 60 messages were posted on our website yesterday, and our website vote – should we allow licensed sex shops in Halifax – returned a verdict of 73% in favour. More than 200 readers voted.

NHSHaron posted a message saying: Some people need to get back to the real world, what difference is this shop going to make? Do people think their innocent little children aren't going to get all this from the internet and friends. Are the Anne Summers shops going to be closed down too? Where's the fun gone out of life?

Dave1986 said: What is all the fuss over the sex shop in Halifax? It's not offensive or rude. Sex is a part of everyone's lives. These people need to stop being uptight and relax.

Update: Renewed

July 10th

See also Halifax Courier see full article

Just come out of the Council meeting at Halifax. We've had another positive result despite some opposition.

Most things that are wrong with sex shops can be put right but surely they could not be held responsible for everything from "murder" to "breach of public safety" as was implied by the nutters.

Press reports to follow...

As always, Al says FREE ALE to all farmers in the Sparking Clog for
tonight's Tuesday Club!


10th July   Update: Renewed...
 

   
Temptations sex shopHalifax council ignores nutter temptations

Thanks to Claude & 'contact al - the punters pal'

Just come out of the Council meeting at Halifax. We've had another positive result despite some opposition.

Most things that are wrong with sex shops can be put right but surely they could not be held responsible for everything from "murder" to "breach of public safety" as was implied by the nutters.

Press reports to follow...

As always, Al says FREE ALE to all farmers in the Sparking Clog for
tonight's Tuesday Club!

 

30th June   Sex Shop Sanctuary...

Pulse & Cocktails
M1 Junction 33
Canklow Meadows Industrial Estate
Rotherham
S60 2XL

Mon-Fri: 10am-9pm
Sat: 10am-8pm
Sun & Bank hols: 11am-5pm
 
Closed only Christmas Day, Boxing Day, New Years Day and Easter Sunday

shop details at
www.pulseandcocktails.co.uk
 

   
"Ask me first" blindfoldRotherham's Pulse & Cocktails will provide refuge in case of floods

From Pulse & Cocktails

Pulse & Cocktails would like to announce that their 7,000 Sq Ft premises in Rotherham have just been assessed by the Police as a potential place of refuge for local residents should the floods worsen in the area.

In the event of a crisis people might have to take refuge at the premises of nearby businesses; the local sex-shop superstore being one of them!

Pulse & Cocktails would like to express their genuine offer of help by making the store a place of sanctuary if necessary.

In the event of such an emergency please head for the building as shown.

For those refugees who may be offended by sexually explicit material free blindfolds will be provided.

 

30th June   Village Nutters...
 

   
Epping Forest Council logoObjecting to sex shop licence for industrial unit in the sticks with no retail!

Based on an article from Your Local Guardian see full article

Objections have been raised over plans for a mail order sex shop' business to be based at an industrial unit in North Weald.

Shazad Ahmed is seeking permission from Epping Forest District Council for a licence to operate a sex shop' at the unit at Chase Farm, Vicarage Lane East.

However the application - which states that no personal customers will be allowed - is being opposed by the village's two district councillors who are concerned at the amount of lorry traffic, delivering stock and collecting orders, that the new use would attract.

Council officers have raised no objection to the application which will be discussed by the district council's licensing committee on Thursday, July 5.

North Weald nutter councillors Dave Stallan and Anne Grigg are concerned at the traffic which will be associated with the use. [yeah yeah...it is an industrial unit]

Grigg added: There is a right of way alongside the access road which has been used by children taking a short cut to the primary school.

Update: Green Light

13th July

Epping Forest District Council's licensing sub-committee has given the green light to a mail order sex warehouse run by Shazad Ahmed at a business unit at Chase Farm. Vicarage Lane, on the grounds that it will not be open to the public.

 

22nd June   Cherry Picking...
 

   
Cherry Pie vandalised
Cherry Pie hit by graffiti

Based on an article from Northern Echo see full article

A Darlington sex shop has had graffiti daubed on its walls by vandals opposed to its presence. The exterior of Cherry Pie, on King Street, has had Get out ya not wanted sprayed on its walls.

The shop has not been welcomed in the town. Another sex shop, Adults Only, paid for a public notice in The Northern Echo, which read: Does Darlington need another sex shop? Sunderland has none and apparently no other town in the North-East has more than three.

Cherry Pie is the fourth adult store in Darlington town centre - but its joint owner, Jez Grant, said he did want to be involved in squabbles: We were upset by the graffiti. We don't want to get involved in battles with other stores - it's not what were about - but we were upset.

Grant said that the market would decide which shops prospered. Cherry Pie sells costumes, lingerie, and novelty items, and hopes to gain a licence to sell DVDs soon.

The council covered up the graffiti and will have it painted over. The police confirmed yesterday they are investigating. There are at least four security cameras that could cover the vandalised wall.


22nd June   Update: Licensed Cherry Pie...