Sex shops ban is opposed
Shrewsbury and Atcham councillors have voted it favour of ditching the borough's current sex shops policy - meaning more could be opened in the town.
The authority currently recommends only one sex shop is allowed within the river loop and that there is no other suitable location for such premises in the town.
But members of the borough council licensing and safety committee today voted in favour of scrapping the policy and paving the way for applicants to open controlled premises anywhere in the town.
The proposal will now be put before full council, and members will vote on whether to support the committee's recommendation.
Councillor Judith Williams said at today's meeting that it was important the council gets rid of any stigma attached to sex shops, which could be monitored by the authority's licensing team.
She said: "We need to lift the shroud of horror from the sex shop issue. I've got no worries about having another sex shop in the town, or even in my ward.
"I say it with absolute confidence in our licensing team that it will be managed well and not become a free-for-all."
Her views were supported by Councillor Peter Jetson, who said the council should be more relaxed on limiting the number of sex shops in the town.
Councillor Christine Freestone also voted in favour of scrapping the existing policy.
She said: "I think it is about time we pulled ourselves kicking and screaming into the 21st century. It is time we got rid of this thing where we hear about a sex shop and run away screaming.
"I'm happy to go along with this and let's judge all applications on their merits as they come along."
