Despite the best efforts of local campaigners, Christian Voice and the Christian Institute, whose representative spoke at the hearing last week, Councillors in Cornwall approved the ‘Mrs Palm’ sex-shop in Little Castle Street, Truro. See previous Christian Voice story. BBC report HERE.
Thirty Christian campaigners, who included Christian Voice members and the Cornwall Community Standards Association, attended the hearing.
In April the High Court allowed a judicial review of Cornwall Council’s decision to grant the initial licence.
The Christian Institute, acting for Truro resident and former County Councillor Mrs Armorel Carlyon claimed that Cornwall Council disregarded relevant material relating to the suitability of the location, next-door to school outfitters Trevails, who organised a petition.
At the time the shop was already stocked and trading.
The owners of the shop immediately applied for a ‘waiver’ to trade without a licence in the interim which was granted by the council’s miscellaneous licensing committee. The Christian Institute challenged that decision but failed to have it overturned.
At the new hearing on Wednesday 7th September, the licence was again approved by councillors by a vote of 5 to 2. Five Councillors, including the two women on the committee, Cllr Lisa Dolley (Vice-Chairman; Independent) and Cllr Liz Penhaligon (Conservative) failed to attend or vote. The second licence allows the owner to sell co-called ‘adult’ DVDs.
We understand that Christian campaigners have vowed to fight on and are seeking the Lord for the next step.
I wish you Luck on your campaign
Go on then, name them. Name the ten shops in Truro and Penzance that are selling these items. We’ll give you three days and if at least ten shops are not named by then, down comes your post and this reply.