Below is a copy of the email I have sent to Sheffield City Council. Along with the survey responses, I hope they understand the commercial cost a total ban will have on stakeholders of such venues:
"We believe that there should be no outright ban. The previous process of deciding the suitability of each individual venue, on its own merit, should continue.
For taxi drivers, such establishments provided drivers with very lucrative fares. The customers are often professionals and travel far outside of Sheffield.
It has already been a big blow to drivers, after these venues closed in Sheffield. Putting a ban to these will put off other operators from coming to Sheffield and risk moving their business to other regional cities.
Many other cities and towns across the UK have SEV's with no limits in place and no outright ban. They work well and cause no issues for the surrounding businesses and other stakeholders.
The people who visit or work in such venues do so at their own choice. Currently, there are protocols in place to protect workers and those who visit such venues. Under the Human Rights Act, they have a choice to visit or work in such venues.
Extreme actions such as a total ban will push people to working in or visiting 'underground' venues - which are harder to control.
Consenting adults who choose to visit or work in such venues should not be deprived of their lifestyles and livelihoods by the vocal objection of a minority of people.
If venues are in a discreet location away from religious buildings, schools and residential areas, then there really should not be a reason to ban them.
There is also the additional commercial benefit for many other stakeholders. For example, when Spearmint Rhino and La Chambre were open, many other businesses benefited from their customers - such as hotels, bars, restaurants, nightclubs and takeaways to name a few. Many customers came from outside of Sheffield to spend their money here. A total ban would push customers to other towns and cities - who will benefit, at Sheffield's expense.
Bizarrely, the ban does not apply to sex shops or sex cinemas. However, these types of venues that were popular in the 70's and 80's, are now obsolete due to the internet.
Sheffield City Council needs to abolish the proposed ban and follow the previous model of
deciding the suitability of each individual venue on its own merit.
The council needs to be more broad-minded and accept different people's lifestyles, which in turn will benefit the city." |
