RESIDENTS are using the Bullfinch child abuse case in their fight to shut down a sex shop.
The Private Shop in East Oxford is facing its annual licence renewal and opponents have seized on comments about “a sub-culture” in the Cowley Road from the Bullfinch trial to use in their objections.
Oxford City Council has received 10 formal objections, including one from city Green councillor Craig Simmons.
During one of the Bullfinch trials, barrister Lee Karu tried to explain child rapist Anjum Dogar’s part by saying it was unfortunate he was brought up in the Cowley Road. Judge Peter Rook also said the trial had been told of a sub-culture in the road where there was “little moral compass”.
But last night Darker Enterprises, which operates the Private shop, said it was wrong to link it to Bullfinch.
Green councillor Dick Wolff said residents had contacted him objecting to the licence renewal.
He has passed on those objections and added: “The residents are objecting and I am representing those views. (Those views) are based on Bullfinch.”
Green colleague Mr Simmons said: “The Bullfinch inquiry highlighted that the environs of the Cowley Road are a contributing factor and although it’s not to do with the sex shop itself, it is contributing to the gritty sub-culture of the Cowley Road and so that is what convinced me (to object).”
But Darker Enterprises director Mike Brown said: “It is wrong to single us out.
“We’ve been operating in the area for 20 years and we provide a service to people.”
Residents have previously fought and lost over the renewal of the shop’s licence.
In 2010 and 2011 there were objections, but none last year.
Bruce Gillingham, 65, rector of St Clement’s Church, who lives in Rectory Road, said: “We’re bound to look at things differently in the light of the Bullfinch trial, it’s certainly caused concern.
“We want to see the spirit and the ethos of Cowley road raised so that all people feel welcome.”
Natasha Field, 35, owner of The Fibreworks Oxford in Cowley Road said any objection to the shop is wrong.
She added: “I think complaints against the licence renewal are just over the top.
“I don’t think a sex shop has anything to do with the Bullfinch case – it’s a completely separate issue.”
Oxford East MP Andrew Smith said: “I support the residents who do not wish to see anything give a seedy image to the area.
“The shop and its customers also have rights of course, and the licensing authority will have to weigh up the evidence.”
Green Party councillor Elise Benjamin, of Magdalen Road, said: “My feeling is that with Bullfinch there has been more concern, especially with Mr Karu’s comment about Cowley Road.”
A spokesman for Thames Valley Police said that the force had not put in a formal objection to the licence renewal.
Oxford City Council’s licensing sub-committee hearing, which will decide the outcome of the application, takes place on Tuesday, August 20.
Nine men were jailed for a total of 95 years for the abuse of six girls in the first Bullfinch trial.
Comments
I've never been in there but isn't it a dirty book and film shop with maybe some sort of plastic blow up type contraptions for use by fornicators lacking a sense of the ridiculous? I have no concept of what a "sex shop" could otherwise be, unless a brothel, which is illegal anyway. My understanding of the Bullfinch case was that the pick ups would be initiated at takeaway shops and taxi ranks. Maybe they should all be closed Alternatively maybe a great swathe of licensing should be removed-it's another expression of socialist bossiness- and its scope limited to road transport, fuel storage, poisons, in other words areas where it's relevant and not an excuse for kremlins of various cities to pontificate.
I've never been in there but isn't it a dirty book and film shop with maybe some sort of plastic blow up type contraptions for use by fornicators lacking a sense of the ridiculous? I have no concept of what a "sex shop" could otherwise be, unless a brothel, which is illegal anyway. My understanding of the Bullfinch case was that the pick ups would be initiated at takeaway shops and taxi ranks. Maybe they should all be closed Alternatively maybe a great swathe of licensing should be removed-it's another expression of socialist bossiness- and its scope limited to road transport, fuel storage, poisons, in other words areas where it's relevant and not an excuse for kremlins of various cities to pontificate.
Lord Palmerstone wrote…
I've never been in there but isn't it a dirty book and film shop with maybe some sort of plastic blow up type contraptions for use by fornicators lacking a sense of the ridiculous? I have no concept of what a "sex shop" could otherwise be, unless a brothel, which is illegal anyway. My understanding of the Bullfinch case was that the pick ups would be initiated at takeaway shops and taxi ranks. Maybe they should all be closed Alternatively maybe a great swathe of licensing should be removed-it's another expression of socialist bossiness- and its scope limited to road transport, fuel storage, poisons, in other words areas where it's relevant and not an excuse for kremlins of various cities to pontificate.
I agree. Bullfinch has nothing to do with this. There must be a few taxi drivers waiting for a knock on the door. Nice to see a Dick outside the shop though.
I've walked past it often, but have never felt the need to enter.
Could we have some kind of definition from the political parties what kind of "sex" they object to in general?
I'd guess they both have some form of family history of engaging in the activity - as, from appearance, they appear to have been born prior to 1978...
I've walked past it often, but have never felt the need to enter.
Could we have some kind of definition from the political parties what kind of "sex" they object to in general?
I'd guess they both have some form of family history of engaging in the activity - as, from appearance, they appear to have been born prior to 1978...
To take this argument a stage or two further, close down every retail outlet in Cowley road and replace them with social housing, perhaps that would make the objectors happy.
The desperate attempts by counsel for the defence cast a slur on all of the area, not just one shop.
How many objectors have been there longer than the shop and how much trouble have they suffered from it ?
To take this argument a stage or two further, close down every retail outlet in Cowley road and replace them with social housing, perhaps that would make the objectors happy.
The desperate attempts by counsel for the defence cast a slur on all of the area, not just one shop.
How many objectors have been there longer than the shop and how much trouble have they suffered from it ?
These puritans would ban christmas if they could
These puritans would ban christmas if they could
Isawyoucoming wrote…
These puritans would ban christmas if they could
Well, no. As I understand it, it was an immaculate conception.
So the puritans can sleep soundly knowing that their was no sex involved.
Isawyoucoming wrote…
These puritans would ban christmas if they could
Well, no. As I understand it, it was an immaculate conception.
So the puritans can sleep soundly knowing that their was no sex involved.
Another bonkers idea from our local Green Party loons. Thank god they'll never win a general election. Socialist (even communist) loons, the lot of 'em!
Surely these are opposites:
Consenting adults as opposed to non-consenting children.
Meanwhile, Joanna Simons (County Council) and Sara Thornton (TV Police) remain in highly lucrative jobs having by all accounts repeatedly failed the Bullfinch victims over many years.
What's being done about their failings and the future impact on other vulnerable children? Oh, nothing!!
Surely these are opposites:
Consenting adults as opposed to non-consenting children.
Meanwhile, Joanna Simons (County Council) and Sara Thornton (TV Police) remain in highly lucrative jobs having by all accounts repeatedly failed the Bullfinch victims over many years.
What's being done about their failings and the future impact on other vulnerable children? Oh, nothing!!
I'd just like to point at that I've never frequented the premises. I can only imagine it contains filth and ****! Did I mention I'd not been in there, just walked past, that's all. Leave the fornicators alone.
I'd just like to point at that I've never frequented the premises. I can only imagine it contains filth and ****! Did I mention I'd not been in there, just walked past, that's all. Leave the fornicators alone.
I visited a while ago, just to see what all the fuss is about. They sell adult toys/DVDs, very few magazines. There is another company along the Cowley Road, Simply Pleasure. a bit more 'discreet' than the Private Shop.
What about the Ann Summers store in Clarendon Centre, will that be 'targeted for closure'?.
I visited a while ago, just to see what all the fuss is about. They sell adult toys/DVDs, very few magazines. There is another company along the Cowley Road, Simply Pleasure. a bit more 'discreet' than the Private Shop.
What about the Ann Summers store in Clarendon Centre, will that be 'targeted for closure'?.
Do these campaigners have any EVIDENCE that links the existence of a sex shop on Cowley road to any sexual crimes ?
Just because you don't like something doesn't mean you can stop someone from undertaking a perfectly legal activity. I don't like smelly food outlets like KFC on Cowley road but that doesn't mean they should be shut down.
Do these campaigners have any EVIDENCE that links the existence of a sex shop on Cowley road to any sexual crimes ?
Just because you don't like something doesn't mean you can stop someone from undertaking a perfectly legal activity. I don't like smelly food outlets like KFC on Cowley road but that doesn't mean they should be shut down.
Surely if something is to be shut down over the bullfinch trial it has to be the cowley road Mosque ,every one of those perverts attended the Mosque,god knows how many other perverts frequent the place......nah!!! the private shop is an easier target isn't it??.... wonder how long this post will last ?? dont want to upset them do we?? THATS how they got away with it for so long and i havent seen any resignations so far from the people that failed these kids so miserably.
Surely if something is to be shut down over the bullfinch trial it has to be the cowley road Mosque ,every one of those perverts attended the Mosque,god knows how many other perverts frequent the place......nah!!! the private shop is an easier target isn't it??.... wonder how long this post will last ?? dont want to upset them do we?? THATS how they got away with it for so long and i havent seen any resignations so far from the people that failed these kids so miserably.
Muslims go to the mosque not the sex shop....or do they ???
Muslims go to the mosque not the sex shop....or do they ???