Published: Wednesday, 16th November, 2005 10:54
Council Leader's site visit to controversial sex shop
By Border Telegraph Newsroom
Print Article
SAUCY shopkeeper Shona Jackson is facing the wrath of local churches.
But her bid to bring a raunchy range of blue movies to her Bank Street sex shop has brought at least one more browser through the door – the council leader.
David Parker turned up at the adults-only boutique last Friday.
But he maintains it was on official business – and he left empty handed.
Mr Parker admitted: “I was in Galashiels as part of a morning of site visits. I knew we had the application coming up from the shop and I wanted to see the layout for myself – I knew the sex shop was separate from the rest of the shop but I didn’t know how they did it.
“I never purchased anything, and I have no intention of going back!”
Moist opened on St Valentine’s Day 2004 after much controversy.
The owner lodged an application for a sex shop licence, which attracted dozens of objections.
But it emerged that a licence wasn’t required for the type of adult toys she planned to sell.
And over the past 18 months Moist has seen trade soar.
Demand for movies has now forced Ms Jackson back to the licence board.
And objections are already rolling in from various churches and Christian groups.
Graeme Donald, spokesman for the Melrose and Peebles Presbyteries, said: “Our main concern is that this shop is in the centre of the town, and the items in the window are of an insensitive nature. It is all very much in your face.
“Many young children walk past the shop everyday and what they see in the shop window could have an impact on them.”
Members of Eildon Area Committee, including Councillor Parker, will vote on whether to grant Moist a sex shop licence at its meeting in December.
But the sex shop owner can’t see what all the fuss is about, and believes she is just meeting demand.
Ms Jackson told us: “All we want to do is start stocking videos and DVDs. That is the only reason we need a licence.
“People come in all the time looking for movies. If they can’t buy them here they just go up to Edinburgh.
“Our customers are all backing us – everybody we have spoken to has been supportive.”
Del.icio.us
Digg
Facebook
Reddit
Stumbleupon
Selkirk flats office move