Sex Shop Plans In Truro - What Do You Think On This? Tell Us!

Err, hasn't anyone noticed we've already got an Ann Summers shop in Truro? What do people think they sell?! There was no outrage about that and I can't see that this is any different. I've got 3 kids under 10 and we have to shop at Trevails - I'm not concerned that their minds are going to be corrupted by the shop next door. We need to move with the times.

The photo attached to this article is rather inflammatory though - I doubt that's what the front of the shop is actually going to look like but that's what people will think when they read this...

It was a rush to get the story online so we grabbed the first image at hand, hopefully the current one is more subtle!

Thanks for your comment!

Mr Reynolds seems to be a reasonable man, he's confirming that nobody under 18 can use the shop and that the shop will be discreet. I have no problem with the image attached to this story, after all it is only a photo representation of an age old set of alchemic symbols representing male and female.

The sex industry is one of the biggest growing businesses in the world. As long as children aren't allowed to go in the shop then they won't know what the big deal is. Everywhere in the country has sex shops and as usual Cornwall is the last place to catch on. Its sometimes not a bad thing that this county is the last to tag onto things BUT as a county we want to be able to offer everything a person needs with the added benefit of our lovely countryside, beaches and scenary, therefore we have to accept the place is going to change and become more commercial and we should embrace choise not shun it. I personally don't go into sex shops so the shop will not impact on me but for those that do, its just another string to Truro's bow. Its not hard for people to come across it on the internet either so I am sure kids will access it as and when they want!

Is there no sense of decency left anywhere in this country of ours? Do we really want this type of sleaze in Cornwall?

I do not have a problem with Truro having a sex shop, as somone else has already said we already have an Ann Summers shop. However maybe putting it next door to a childs school uniform shop is not such a good idea. I do not think that the children will take much notice of it as we have TV, internet etc now, which children of all ages can and do use. However it would concern me that it could enable people with 'odd' perceptions of children to get too close to them, if that makes sense. As a mother I have tried to protect my children over the years without mollycoddling either but this could be a bit in your face.

Do we really have to "move with the times" and buy into "the sex industry as one of the biggest growing industries in the world" ?
We have to curb the spread of the attitude that this is all harmless fun in our high streets.
If moving with the times means accepting the raging spread of clamydia, and other Sexually Transmitted diseases. No-one talks about AIDS anymore...it hasn't gone away!
New legislation has just re-classified lap dancing clubs into "Sexual Entertainment Venues" after huge campaigning. Great!
If moving with times means everything is ok as long as you're discreet and restrit access to children then we are on a slippery slope.
I am not a prude, in fact it was my generation that started this "permissive society"...I am more than entitled to say "Enough is enough"

Oh come on?
There are sex shops in every town and city in the country - and as someone said Ann Summers already has a shop in Truro?

What is the problem? We all have sex? And some want more stimulation than just two people together having sex and some may not have partners and may need something to help as a sexual outlet for the sexual needs we all have. What is at all wrong with this?

It is a normal natural function and each to their own as long as it does not infringe anyone else ( rights etc)is not abusive to anyone else and does not encourage sexual inequality, sexual violence or sexual abuse.

I am 57 and certainly still do have sex with my husband and hope to for many, many years to come. We don't personally at the moment use any extra sexual aids/books/garments/videos/magazines/lubrication/sex toys/ etc as we are quite happy with our sexual life as it is and have been for nearly 30 years and do not seem to need or want this right now.

But we feel it is fine for others to and if as we get older we at some point DO! feel the need we will certainly not hesitate to go to a shop like this.

A shop selling items for the enhancement of a couples sexual lives, or to give single people a safe outlet for their sexuality, is NOT a porn shop! If it was it would never get a license to operate in from a town shopping street.

Also I feel that shops like this often promote safer sex, i.e the use of condoms and protection etc and that can only be for the good as STIs are on the increase as is HIV and among 'ordinary' people.

I have lived here for over 30 years and my relatives were born here and I love Cornwall and those who live here, but soemtimes I think Cornwall is like living in the past in terms of attitudes - often over 30 years behind every other part of the UK. I think Cornwall should 'grow up ' in its attitude to sex

Veritee

Oh come on?
There are sex shops in every town and city in the country - and as someone said Ann Summers already has a shop in Truro?

What is the problem? We all have sex? And some want more stimulation than just two people together having sex and some may not have partners and may need something to help as a sexual outlet for the sexual needs we all have. What is at all wrong with this?

It is a normal natural function and each to their own as long as it does not infringe anyone else ( rights etc)is not abusive to anyone else and does not encourage sexual inequality, sexual violence or sexual abuse.

I am 57 and certainly still do have sex with my husband and hope to for many, many years to come. We don't personally at the moment use any extra sexual aids/books/garments/videos/magazines/lubrication/sex toys/ etc as we are quite happy with our sexual life as it is and have been for nearly 30 years and do not seem to need or want this right now.

But we feel it is fine for others to and if as we get older we at some point DO! feel the need we will certainly not hesitate to go to a shop like this.

A shop selling items for the enhancement of a couples sexual lives, or to give single people a safe outlet for their sexuality, is NOT a porn shop! If it was it would never get a license to operate in from a town shopping street.

Also I feel that shops like this often promote safer sex, i.e the use of condoms and protection etc and that can only be for the good as STIs are on the increase as is HIV and among 'ordinary' people.

I have lived here for over 30 years and my relatives were born here and I love Cornwall and those who live here, but soemtimes I think Cornwall is like living in the past in terms of attitudes - often over 30 years behind every other part of the UK. I think Cornwall should 'grow up ' in its attitude to sex

Veritee

What is so offensive about a sex shop? What is so worrying about 'people who go there'? I cannot believe that in this time and age we are even discussing this. There are few things better than good sex at providing a strong bond for a loving couple and using toys and products can significantly enhance the experience. People who consider sex 'sleazy' are not decent, they, for whatever reasons, have managed to repress their natural sexuality and would like to see the rest of us in the same boat. Cornwall, with its long history of Methodist attitudes, has lagged long enough behind the rest of UK - it's about time we, who celebrate love,sex and pleasuring each other, have the chance to shop locally.

As for the argument that children may see this sex shop when going past it to buy their school uniform.

Well what is education and parental guidance for? ( this for me includes honestly about the true realities of life which of course includes sex and adult sexual needs )

I am a parent and was a Youth worker in Cornwall for over 17 years - 15 years before that in London) and I am a qualified teacher and in my experience most children, even quite young children, know far more about sex than is being suggested here.

I also believe that any child who has been given a realistic sex education, by their parents and for whom sex has a 'normal' place in their family and is not taboo or presented as 'rude' or 'out of bounds' would not be phased at all by walking past a sex shop. Or they should not be.

Children should be able to disscuss sex as soon as they wish to although in an age appropriate manor and this will avoid any difficulties in walking past a sex shop.

If they are upset or react phased by walking past such a sex shop I would ask yourselves why? And whether your children need to have more (and honest) conversations with you about this area of life?

Veritee and Kate you are bang on (no pun intended) I was just about to rant and rave over some of the previous un-educated, prudish comments written but i think the point has been well made.

I would however like to point out that in Amsterdam where there are all sorts of sex shops/shows etc, they actually have one of the lowest teen pregnancy rates in europe, we on the other hand have one of the highest!

The comments about the rise in STD's are because 'this sort of thing' is kept in the dark and not dicussed as much as it should be, if no body talks about sex then duh! the youth having sex wont know about Std's and how to stop them. And as for 'those sort of people' I am a 44 year old married woman who knits and plays scrabble, and has sex with my hubby with toys and games and happen to need a bit of lube now i'm that age( I dont want to buy it with my groceries with the 16 year old lad on the checkout thanks!), what sort am I then? Yes Please Mrs Palm (do be discrete of course), I may be one of your regulars!

It all depends on how visual the shop frontage is going to be. Ann Summers is a particular brand but most sex shops I've been to in London are not obviously sex shops. They have an entrance that makes it impossible to see into the shop to stop kids getting glimpses. And they certainly do not display their products in the window in contrast to the way Ann Summers does! If it's going to be like that I'm all for it. Yes you can buy online but sometimes you want to see what the products are. Plus, to be fair, Ann Summers is not really a proper sex shop. And yes, I am a woman. And yes I have kids. It's not just dirty old men that go to these places!

I have no objection one way or the other, I am sure that it will become the "shop next door to the outfitters."

Oh for goodness sake, it's only sex - normal and healthy. Children are taught about it at primary school! Children always know more than we think they do. We did. I want my daughter to grow up knowing about healthy sex and enjoying it, I don't want it hidden or made 'dirty'. I am sure the shop would be run appropriately, and if it is not, then that is the time to moan.

OH No sex Please were british, Ever wondered where that saying came from. Bunch of old fogies.

Speaking from other cities, most sex shops have less on display in their front window than the FHM-type magazines in your average supermarket. If you take your children past the magazine stands, they've seen it already. Really.

And when I've been in them, I would say a significant proportion of the customers are couples shopping together in much the same way as they'd shop for a sofa (only they look like they're enjoying it a lot more). And often of middle years - face it, the teens to twenty somethings need little encouragement or spicing up, do they? Modicum of privacy is usually all they ask for, and sometimes not even that. That's where your epidemic of chlamydia and other STDs is happening.

There certainly are things (eg lube) it's just more pleasant to buy in that environment than in Boots. You know, they feel like fun purchases instead of a "now-we're-older" necessity. And you get choices! Plus shop assistants specialising in that area rather than selling cough mixtures and hayfever remedies most of the time.

The only thing about going into a sex shop in a small city like Truro rather than somewhere like London is you stand a much higher chance of bumping into someone you know with their (or your) packet of edible knickers in hand. And then you both have to behave like grownups. Even if you feel you won't be able to look them in the eye at the next school fete ... or dentist’s appointment ...

as somebody who works in a sex shop i don't think that the fact that it would be put next to a school uniform shop should make a difference. The front of these shops are very discreet and i know that when i was younger i would not have known what was in the store. also, as these shops are over 18's only, i know that i myself run a very strict door policy, so any young people that feel the need to show off infront of friends by trying to go in are promptly stopped before even seeing the inside. I think its a great thing that the shop is planned and wish the hopeful new company the very best! xx

Perhaps having a sex shop in this area, might be a positive advantage for the businesses in the near vacinity.

Human nature is such that we are all inquisitive and no doubt footfall will dramatically increase, adding potential sales to the shops that are not on the main high street. Interesting times :)

Can i just say Cornwall is one of the most unsexy places around why not sproose it up a little :P !

I cant not see any problems with adding a wider variety of shops to truro !

And yes there is an Ann Summers ! But if any of you haven't noticed it is one of the most over priced sex shops around ! What we really need is an affordable exciting shop

We really need a good quality shop full of fun ! where else are we going to get our nipple tassels !!

Personally i think it is the small mindedness of Cornish Folk still stuck in the Victorian times! OH NO A BARE ANKLE ! 50 HAil MARYS !

And the problem with diseases etc in the posts above is from young teens not being sexually educated enough ! nothing to do with shops of sexual nature !

Enjoy life and live a little....who knows if you go in there you may come out a sexual deviant ! haha

Can i just say Cornwall is one of the most unsexy places around why not sproose it up a little :P !

I cant not see any problems with adding a wider variety of shops to truro !

And yes there is an Ann Summers ! But if any of you haven't noticed it is one of the most over priced sex shops around ! What we really need is an affordable exciting shop

We really need a good quality shop full of fun ! where else are we going to get our nipple tassels !!

Personally i think it is the small mindedness of Cornish Folk still stuck in the Victorian times! OH NO A BARE ANKLE ! 50 HAil MARYS !

And the problem with diseases etc in the posts above is from young teens not being sexually educated enough ! nothing to do with shops of sexual nature !

Enjoy life and live a little....who knows if you go in there you may come out a sexual deviant ! haha

For goodness sake!!! what a load of prudes we seem to have in cornwall!!!
does no one here have sex anymore? just because its a "sex" shop it doesnt mean that there will be loads of sex related stuff on display in the window, all the sex shops ive seen have blacked out windows anyway.
I think its a great idea, its ok buying online, but you cant actually see what you are getting, and sometimes things can be a bit confusing..
Bring it on I say!

OMG! what a load of fuss about nothing! Sex is about having fun. I've been in maybe 3 or 4 sex shops in my life and you know the sort of people I saw in there... couples... I'm not saying everyone that uses them was a couple but most were couples looking for a bit of extra safe fun! Going to a sex shop doesn't mean your going to get aids you know. People from all walks of life, age, race, gender.... theres not a certain type of person that goes in there. I run a sucessfull buissness, have step kids and a partner, enjoy town events, fetes, may day parades.... but suddenly if I go in a sex shop I'm obviously a scary charater... or a sex manic! Sex is normal and fun, grow up you boring old farts!

I don't see what all the hysteria is about. Why do "normal" clothes shops have more right to a place on the high street than a sex shop? If it's what the consumer wants then where's the problem. I'm sure there are plenty of people in Cornwall who think it is sleazy and gratuitous but then I find the OAP underwear section in Marks and Spencers pretty offensive so I stay away from it. I am 21 years old and my girlfriend works in an Ann Summers store and you'd be amazed at how comfortable many people are (even some of the older generation) with being in the shop and purchasing toys and bedroom lingerie. Sex is no longer this big secret that people pretend they don't do, it is part of life. All that sex shops are doing is trying to promote different ways that we can enjoy ourselves. After all we are one of only two species (I think) that have sex for pleasure. Let's take advantage of that. It's not like these shops are dragging teenagers off the street, thrusting a dildo into their hand and then injecting them with STIs. It's over 18s only and they are generally very discreet. I say go ahead with the shop and let the fun begin!!

can i just say that i know the people who are planning to open the shop i know very well. as for laws, you will not be able to see in the shop from any angle . the only way to view the contents is to passing threww two doors . then you will be asked to show your prof of age. get a grip people , kids are sharp as tacks these days , so its fine to walk them past ann summers and see all the adult toys threw a plane glass window . show some sense . this shop will also be pledging the cause for safe sex. do people not have sex once they have kids in truro. this is not the raincoat and sneak in threw the back door shop. this shop will open if the council grant it there licence, and they will. it may get held up , but it will open . cannot wait .

The shop keepers that are vowing to fight this application should be ashamed of themselves. Their interview comments are nothing short of prejudice and ignorance! My husband and I welcome you to Truro Mrs Palm. Good Luck!

Limelight fancy dress is not the spokesperson for all the pensioners of Truro. My wife and I wont be dribbling up little castle street to sign petitions upset and confused on the contary we will be walking heads up high to the new ADULT store and make good use of the loving times we have left together. Is that normal enough?
Also like to point out that we only wear dirty macs when we walk the dogs in the rain.

Hello! I'm Nikki, I'm the executive director of Mrs Palm Ltd.

I first became aware last night of the comments on cornwallscoolest.com and would like to say a big thank you to everyone who has given Mrs Palm such positive responses and support. It also gives Mrs Palm an opportunity to address the few concerns expressed. After reading our response to the criticisms from the shops next door, I'm sure you'll think that this will help to ensure a much better understanding of what Mrs Palm will provide and so help to avoid any of the supposed embarrassment and upset the objectors believe my application may cause them and their customers.

MRS PALM COMING TO TRURO

On the 9th of July,2010, Mrs Palm Ltd applied to Cornwall council for a license under the Local Government(miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 to operate a licensed shop at 5 Little Castle Street, Truro to sell adult products including British Board of Film Classification R18 films, adults toys and clothing.

Some shopkeepers in Little Castle Street, including the adjoining outfitters supplying school uniform and the fancy dress and costume shop have vowed to fight the application.

On BBC News Cornwall on Friday interviewees objected to the display of sex toys and other adult goods in the window. Such assertions are ill founded and wholly misleading and have to be corrected so the people of Truro know the truth and can make informed and reasoned judgements about what they want in their city. Even the headlines to the BBC News Cornwall report misleads with 'Anger over sex shop plan next to Truro school shop'.

A licensed shop could never be sited next to a school. So it is important to note that the outfitters shop is NOT part of a school, is NOT even a school shop, it supplies school uniforms.

A mother said she was worried her two children would see what was on offer in the shop.

Window displays of licensed shops always are controlled by strict enforced operating rules that the licensing authority imposes to ensure decency will not be outraged. The suggested display of sex toys and other adult goods in the window of a licensed shop would never be allowed by any licensing authority and would never be entertained by Mrs Palm. Indeed, the interior of the shop must not be seen from the street, only after entering the shop.

One objector said, 'It's the clients that are going to be using the shop that really worry me.'

Only adults are permitted to enter a licensed shop, anyone suspected of being under 18 years will have to prove their age and underage persons must be required to leave and, if necessary, will be ejected. Offensive and disorderly behaviour always is controlled by the Police and enforced by Courts.

What can be sold? Shops that sell all the adult products, adult toys, books and videos that lawfully may be sold must be licensed. Unlicensed shop must not sell significant amounts of adult products and unlicensed selling is to be controlled by the licensing Council. R18 classified films and some other adult products cannot be legally sold in any unlicensed shops.

Do you want unlicensed shops selling adult products and adult toys? Do you want under-the-counter unlawful sales of DVDs and videos? If you don't, say so.

Do you want adult products, adult toys and British Board of Film Classification R18 classified films to be sold only from licensed premises strictly controlled by the Council? Your views matter. So if that is what you want, please say so.

You can be sure that licensed by the council, sales by Mrs Palm will be strictly controlled, unlike the uncontrolled sales and even window displays of adult products in unlicensed shops in the city. Indeed much of the annual licensing fee Mrs Palm will pay is to be used to fund control of unlicensed shops.

You can express your wish that the Council controls sales of adult products, toys and classified films in unlicensed shops and you can support sales only from licensed shops by signing Mrs Palm's petition.

If you prefer, you can E-mail your support to jflower2@cornwall.gov.uk, but so that your support will count when the Licensing Committee meets on the 20th of August, 2010,it will be necessary to give your name and postcode and that you are over 18 years old, sending your E-mail to be received before Friday the 6th of August, 2010.

Alternatively you can E-mail to me at mrspalm@hotmail.co.uk or you can look out for us in Truro during the next few days and sign a petition.

However you prefer to support us, please give your name and postcode and that you are over 18 years old. This will prove that you are a local voter whose views are to be taken into account.

Thank you, thank you for your support and thank you especially to cornwallscoolest.com for hosting these responses.

Nikki

Nikki works very hard to succeed in life and to date has done very well. I wish her every success in this new venture. You can rest assured she will do nothing to distress anybody. Mum