Sex shop is 'inappropriate' in our community say residents (From Richmond and Twickenham Times)

Sex shop is 'inappropriate' in our community say residents

9:51am Friday 9th December 2005 in News By Hannah Farquharson

RESIDENTS disgusted' by the licensing of a sex shop in Richmond have hit out at the council claiming they ignored a policy which stated the borough should have no such establishments.

Last week the Richmond and Twickenham Times reported that 111 Kew Road had been granted a licence to operate as a sex shop despite over 100 objections.

Chairman of the licensing committee Cllr Roger Avins defended the move saying the council could find no reason to reject the application.

But in letters to the paper expressing their dismay at the decision residents have highlighted the council's failure to take into consideration their stated policy in July 2004 that no such establishments were welcome in the borough.

Neil Connor of Jocelyn Road, Richmond, said: "In July 2004 Richmond council stated once more that the appropriate number of licensed sex shops in each ward was nil.

"Given this background, as a local resident I feel utterly disgusted at the decision made by Richmond council to grant this sex shop license in the midst of a residential area populated by a large number of young families."

But Cllr Avins explained: "We were required to consult each ward on the number of sex establishments they should have. It is considered good practice to consult.

"Each ward returned an answer of none and that's the council policy. But the policy could be challenged in court and we didn't consider it to any great extent in making our decision. Each application has to be looked at on its own merits.

"It was only location that was considered and it wasn't a location that proved to be a problem."

However it seems not all residents are opposed to the idea. One gentleman wrote this week: "Now we can walk the few yards for all our marital needs such as videos and sex aids - wonderful!"

See letters page 6 for more.