Truro sex shop opposition complaints seen in letters to Cornwall Council

ANGER over an application to open a sex shop in Truro has sparked a huge letter-writing campaign to Cornwall Council's licensing committee.

More than 90 complaints have been made opposing a move by Mrs Palm Ltd from setting up next to a school uniform store in Little Castle Street.

The letters will be used as evidence in the meeting tomorrow morning at Carrick House. Much of the campaign has been led by Vicky Trevail, manager of Trevail's uniform shop, who recently collected a 700-name petition.

Many of the letters come from schools and church groups, arguing that such a store is inappropriate in the planned location because of its proximity to a shop used by children and its position on a bus route.

Among them was one from The Christian Institute which said that it was out of character with the area as a "locality characterised by tourist attractions, restaurants and cafés, shops and other businesses".

It added: "It is, therefore, not the sort of place which is suitable for a sex shop."

Policy

Another said that the former Carrick District Council had adopted a policy that no licensed sex shops should be allowed within the city's boundaries.

Another objector asked: "What message would such a shop give to schoolchildren shopping with parents/guardians for their school uniform?"

One, from a writer in Bissoe, suggested: "A more suitable location would be out of town, where families can choose to avoid subjecting their young children to potentially obscene images."

Others argued it could prove damaging to the street's – and the city's – reputation.

Many of the letters will have to be discarded because they focus on the moral aspect of having such a store.

Under the Licensing Act a council may not reject an application on ethical grounds.

Edward Braxton Reynolds speaks in favour of the application.

He wrote: "Garments and other suitable products sympathetically and appropriately displayed in a shop window can be informative without any risk of causing offence."

He added anyone under-age who persistently attempted to enter would either be prosecuted or face an injunction.

No Sex Please, We’re Truro: A selection of letters

GIVEN the subject matter it was a most unfortunate typing error.
Complaining about the proposed sex shop one correspondent wrote: “I wish to object moist (sic) strongly.”
It was just one of a number of unintentional errors, musings and in some cases just funny missives sent to licensing officer Julie Flower, who is dealing with the case.
All the names and addresses have been redacted – censored being the wrong word on this occasion – but they are still fascinating.
One pensioner explained she: “Strongly object to sex in Truro.”
While another appeared to have misunderstood the role of the licensing officer: “Dear Julie Flower, why do you want to open a sex shop in Truro? You already have an Ann Summers shop.”
And yet another had obviously misheard a radio report on the issue, accidentally believing it to be opened by the wife of chairman of the licensing committee Jim Flashman.
It began: “To Mrs Flashman, I am shocked to hear on Radio Cornwall that you are planning to open a sex shop next to Trevails.”
Shocking indeed – but nothing to do with poor Mrs Flashman.
Others made it clear what they think of Truro’s neighbouring towns.
One objector stating: “I understand there is a Sex Shop in Newquay but, if we are all honest, what more would you expect.”
Another writing: “Stay away from Truro please go to Redruth if you must.”
While finally some were more graphic in their depiction of the likely clientele: “I would reiterate that some people will find it awkward, perhaps even disturbing, to bump into sexually aroused men going to and from a sex establishment.”