"In Local news
Date online: 09 March 2017
AN APPLICATION to turn a former pub into a massage parlour was rejected by councillors.
The proposal for a change of use of the first floor premises of the Bridge Inn, Oldham Road, Failsworth into a massage parlour was thrown out at last night's meeting. The plans would have seen the construction of an external staircase and the creation of a first floor access doorway with opening hours proposed Monday to Sunday from 10am to 9pm.
It was rejected as it was felt the first floor doorway and staircase would introduce a sub-standard non-traditional form of access to the development. It was also agreed the staircase would directly overlook room windows of adjoining flats at Ben Brierley Walk to the detriment of the residential amenity of the occupiers.
Councillor for Failsworth East Norman Briggs also raised concerns about the impact the business would have on parking in the area and moved it be refused.
He said: "Parking around that area is quite congested.
"There are a number of premises over the road whose customers use that area as well so it will have an impact on that."
"
Think there is a bit of confusion going on, there may have been plans for a club at the old Bridge Inn but the Katies is at the old Forresters Arms a couple of hundred yards further down
Swinger parties club says it's above board
Reporter: Jacob Metcalf
Date online: 03 March 2017
A GENTLEMAN'S health club which holds swinger parties has hit back at allegations it is being run as a brothel.
Following complaints from residents about the nature of the business, Oldham Council is running a live planning enforcement case on Katie's Gentleman's Health Club on Oldham Road in Failsworth, which opened on January 30 with a buffet and champagne reception.
However, Kate, who runs the club, says they are liaising with the council and there is nothing untoward going on at the premises, which was formerly the Foresters Arms pub.
Concerns were raised with councillors about the club, which on its website indicated services on offer as well as provocative images of various women. The website has since changed with the images removed and the prices now relate to masseuses and the entry fee for parties which include swinger, stag, private and all-night parties.
Kate defended the swinger parties, suggesting it was not up to people to decide what was moral and what wasn't and that the people who attend them are all adults who make a choice.
She said: "It is not for people to say. They have only got an opinion when it is on their doorstep. It shouldn't be for anyone to say really, people are too quick to point the finger. We pay taxes like everybody else.
"The people who come here are all adults and they make a choice to come here. The people who come to the swinger parties pay an entrance fee because it is a party, ladies come in free. We have had a few locals in and we have had a lot of positive feedback."
With regards to the council's planning enforcement, Kate said they were complying with the council's investigation and were required to fill in a change of use form because the club was classed as entertainment but must change that because they no longer serve alcohol.
She said as part of the investigation they have addressed health and safety issues and have put in place the appropriate number of fire extinguishers.
Kate said: "We had a meeting with the council and everything is above board.
"We have had the fire extinguishers put in, we have had health and safety done, we haven't done anything untoward.
"We were classed as entertainment but because we don't sell alcohol we are having to make an application for change of use. We are liaising with the council."
An Oldham Council spokesperson said: "We have a live planning enforcement case on this matter and our investigations are ongoing." |
