THE manager of a Salisbury sex shop has been told he will need to take down one of the adverts in his window display following complaints.
Last week The Journal reported that people living in the area had started a petition to protest against the changes to the display in the window of the Amazing Fantasy shop in Fisherton Street.
They raised particular concerns about photographs of scantily clad women that had been placed at children’s eye level in the window and also some of the slogans on adverts.
The petition, which was mainly circulated in streets near the shop, was then presented to ward councillor Richard Clewer.
As a result, licensing officers from Wiltshire Council visited the shop this week and informed staff that one of the adverts would need to be removed or changed. “There are licensing conditions governing this type of business and one of them is for the manager to keep us informed if there are any changes to the shop,” said a Wiltshire Council spokesman.
“We’ve now visited the business and advised the manager of concerns from the public and that one of the adverts on display will need to be altered or taken down. We will now aim to set up an arrangement where he can easily notify us when he wants to make changes to the shop and we can advise accordingly.”
However, owner Jonathan Spencer says he has had “strong support” for the changes he has made, which he says makes the shop look “brighter and less sleazy”.
He has started his own petition in support of the window display, which has been signed by 82 people, and he plans to present it to cllr Clewer next week.
“I’ve been very pleased by all the support and positive comments I’ve received,” he said.
“People have been coming into the shop – not even customers – people who just want to show their support for a local business and agree with the changes I have made.
“I’m confused by some of the changes the council is insisting on – I thought the changes made the shop less sleazy but they want me to plaster the words “licensed sex shop” everywhere.
“I have not had complaints about my displays and slogans in other places but here it is an issue even though we have been trading for years.”
Mr Spencer says he will remove some of the adverts from the window display until he gets further guidance from the council’s licensing officers.
Comments
What would we do without the prude police who seem to think we still live in the 1800s!
What would we do without the prude police who seem to think we still live in the 1800s!
Ah! Come on.
What absolute nonsense.
Ah! Come on.
What absolute nonsense.
How much is all this nonsense costing the local taxpayer?
Can we send the bill to the person who finds the display 'offensive'.
The shop display is much tidier and brighter than before anyway.
How much is all this nonsense costing the local taxpayer?
Can we send the bill to the person who finds the display 'offensive'.
The shop display is much tidier and brighter than before anyway.
We still have not seen any complaints. The removal of the 'keep calm and keep it up' brand was removed as licensing officer found t(subjectively) offensive. This brand of advertising is allowed in other local authorities. Clinton cards have similar.
The petition protest was against lingerie and not any signage.
I have adhered to the latest request by the licensing officer.
We still have not seen any complaints. The removal of the 'keep calm and keep it up' brand was removed as licensing officer found t(subjectively) offensive. This brand of advertising is allowed in other local authorities. Clinton cards have similar.
The petition protest was against lingerie and not any signage.
I have adhered to the latest request by the licensing officer.
I shall be popping in to sign the petition.
Is there any chance I can get a tee shirt with the slogan on it?
I shall be popping in to sign the petition.
Is there any chance I can get a tee shirt with the slogan on it?
So let me get this right.... the petition was against having lingerie advertised in the window and the councils licensing officer, who gets embarrassed and doesn't like entering premises that is her job to enter has taken umbridge over a slogan that nobody else has and has insisted that the owner removes said slogan because of her own prudish attitude to adult practices. Why is this woman employed in the job when she obvious can't do it without being biased? alI I'd like to add is "Keep it up Jonathon (the stiff upper lip that is)
So let me get this right.... the petition was against having lingerie advertised in the window and the councils licensing officer, who gets embarrassed and doesn't like entering premises that is her job to enter has taken umbridge over a slogan that nobody else has and has insisted that the owner removes said slogan because of her own prudish attitude to adult practices. Why is this woman employed in the job when she obvious can't do it without being biased? alI I'd like to add is "Keep it up Jonathon (the stiff upper lip that is)