Exotic Dancing or Lap Dancing?

I will be disappointed if the owner of the Opal Lounge does not heed the requests from councillors who spoke at Tuesday's Full Council Meeting (13 Oct). I spoke for the motion and fully agreed that a Lap Dancing Club on Solihull's High Street is not the image we want in Solihull. Now, I'm not a prude but these clubs should be licensed as sex shops and not arrive on a 'High Street near you' via some poorly thought out Licensing Legislation. Two years after the legislation the government is now (slowly) pushing an amendment through parliament but so many Lap Dancing clubs are with us. Together with one on Broad Street, Birmingham Solihull's club will make three within a very short distance. The other one is in Shakespeare's Stratford on Avon.

One worry I have is that punters will visit the establishment (such a nice word) in the day time and the mix of 'gentlemen' punters and High Street shoppers may be not be an appropriate mix. There is also a worry that such clubs seek lads on stag weekends and our High Street is not the right place for such enterprise. Further, these clubs, in order to compete with others, may offer extras to get custom. Well, after the lads have been made happy in the club they can pop next door to McDonald's and have a Happy Meal. Lets hope there is not an increase in sexual attacks in the Town Centre as a result of sad acts having to get their kicks by visiting such a vile club.

Christmas Market Comes to Solihull

I am pleased that Solihull's Planning Committee last night (7.10.09) gave permission for a German Christmas Market in Mell Square, Solihull this year, between 28 November and 24 December 2009. The market will be an added boost to the retailers in Solihull, especially after the year they have suffered though the economic downturn.

I felt sad that one member voted against the market, being anti-alcohol, on religious grounds, thereby trying to stop the vast majority of fair minded Solihull people who wished to celebrate Christmas in a community way by partaking in a glass of Glow Wine (Glue vine to some). However, common sense won the day. Thank you to members of the Planning Committee. And, thank you for the Town Centre partnership who sought to make this enterprise happen.

Ken

Blog Up and Running

This evening I join the 21st Century and have become a 'blogger'. I hope this will be of great use, not only to Elmdon Ward members but also to the residents of Solihull in general.