Objection was down to the individual

I would like to thank you for seeking our opinion on the recent SEV application. The Old Town Business Association is made up of 500 Old Town businesses. Among that 500 there are lots of differing opinions. The Old Town Business Association Committee works hard at reaching consensus on the things that we do. The consensus on the subject of SEVs was that if individual businesses or business owners, or employees wanted to protest against SEVs then it would be their right to do so. A significant number of individual Old Town businesses did object.

We at Gaia have had several petitions in the shop for people to sign and we support the campaign of the objectors to rid Old Town of the bad impression that strip clubs give to an area.

The exploitation of people, male or female should certainly not be being encouraged by our councillors (who are meant to represent the public) and government. By allowing these sleazy businessess to open on our high streets, the people at the top who are supposed to look after the vunerable in society are completly letting them and all the other residents, campaigners and businesses down.

The campaign will continue, with the support of most of the OTBA, and, in the meantime, we’d like to encourage everyone concerned about giving Old Town a bad name to visit the ‘Say No to Strip Clubs in Warwick District’ petition site on http://tinyurl.com/SEVnilcap or visit our shop, Gaia, at 7 Regent Place, Leamington Spa, where you can sign a paper petition. - Helen Lowthian, Committee member of OTBA.