A SCATHING attack on Worthing Council's past refusals to allow a licensed sex establishment in Rowlands Road has been made by Kathleen Sutton, of the existing Secret Desires shop.
She told the Herald this week: "Worthing Council must not sit there and be biased," and she urged councillors to "get rid of their prejudices against something which does no harm to anybody".
Ms Sutton, director of parent company Shop Tonight, was speaking in support of her latest (and fourth) annual bid for the licence, which would allow the shop at 101 Rowlands Road to sell R18-rated porn films.
But Worthing Churches Together is again amassing support to oppose the application, which is due to be considered by Worthing licensing councillors next March.
MainstreamMs Sutton said the councillors were not elected to cast judgement on what was already legal. "There shouldn't be a debate on 'we don't like porn, or we don't like sex'.
"It is already on the high street, in the form of films like Zack and Miri Make a Porno.
"It's not up to councillors to say 'we don't want it'. Wake up, Worthing, we have a strip club now."
She added that things which campaigner Steve Stevens had warned against when Secret Desires had first opened, had not come about.
"There has not been a decrease in property price (due to the shop's location), and there has been no increase in crime."
OppositionWorthing Tabernacle, in Chapel Road, is urging fellow members of the town's Churches Together to make their voices heard in opposing the application.
Tabernacle pastor the Rev Mark Weedon told the Herald yesterday: "Demand for a product or service does not legitimise its supply.
"Many have observed over recent decades the link between an increasingly permissive society and the consequent breakdown in marriages, an increase in unwanted pregnancies, rape, and so on.
"We are asking the council to continue to refuse Secret Desires' application for an R18 licence."
Steve Stevens and his wife are too ill to organise a petition this year, but he hopes that letters alone will do it.
Mr Stevens said: "The large numbers signing petitions in the last three years show very clearly that people who live in the area, and those who shop there, don't want a shop like this."
Have your sayIs it now time for Worthing to have a fully licensed sex shop?
The final vote results were: no – 40 and yes – 60
What do you think?How ready is Worthing ready for a licenced sex shop now?
What affect would it have on the town?
Share your views, comment below, email the Herald or write in to Readers' Letters, Worthing Herald series, Cannon House, Chatsworth Road, Worthing, BN11 1NA.
A full name and address is required before letters are published. This can be withheld on request.
-------------------------------------
Click here to go back to Worthing news.Where are you? Add your pin to the Herald's international readers' map by clicking here.Email the Herald: letters@worthingherald.co.ukClick here for the Herald staff directory.Want to read this page in French, German, Spanish, Portuguese, Urdu or 48 other languages? click here for Google translate.
