Menu
25/04/2007
Lords deny licence for Belfast sex shop
A Belfast sex shop owner has been denied a licence after the House of Lords backed Belfast City Council’s decision not to grant one.
The five Law Lords unanimously overturned a judgement by the Court of Appeal in Belfast 19 months ago that the city’s council had breached the human rights of the company by refusing the licence to trade.
Miss Behavin’ Ltd on Gresham Street is now expected to pay a bill of around £400,000.
The shops owners took legal action in 2003 that challenged a council’s decision to refuse it an operating licence. The Northern Ireland High Court ruled in favour of the council in 2004, however the decision was then reversed by the Appeal Court a year later.
The council objected to explicit DVDs sold in the shop.
Welcoming the Law Lords’ decision, head of building control at the council, Trevor Martin, said: “Belfast City Council has not said no to sex shops, we have said no to sex shops in that area.
“It was never a blanket ban and if someone made an application for a licence – in, say, Duncrue Street – it would not be the same situation.”
(JM/KMcA)
The five Law Lords unanimously overturned a judgement by the Court of Appeal in Belfast 19 months ago that the city’s council had breached the human rights of the company by refusing the licence to trade.
Miss Behavin’ Ltd on Gresham Street is now expected to pay a bill of around £400,000.
The shops owners took legal action in 2003 that challenged a council’s decision to refuse it an operating licence. The Northern Ireland High Court ruled in favour of the council in 2004, however the decision was then reversed by the Appeal Court a year later.
The council objected to explicit DVDs sold in the shop.
Welcoming the Law Lords’ decision, head of building control at the council, Trevor Martin, said: “Belfast City Council has not said no to sex shops, we have said no to sex shops in that area.
“It was never a blanket ban and if someone made an application for a licence – in, say, Duncrue Street – it would not be the same situation.”
(JM/KMcA)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
01 June 2021
Businesses Damaged By Blaze In Portstewart
An investigation has launched after a number of businesses were damaged by a blaze in The Diamond in Portstewart. The alarm was raised at 5am on Monday, however fire crews were called back at around 9.30am. A chip shop, coffee shop and hairdressers were damaged as a result. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
Businesses Damaged By Blaze In Portstewart
An investigation has launched after a number of businesses were damaged by a blaze in The Diamond in Portstewart. The alarm was raised at 5am on Monday, however fire crews were called back at around 9.30am. A chip shop, coffee shop and hairdressers were damaged as a result. An investigation into the cause of the fire is underway.
13 June 2007
Sex shop owner fined over unclassified DVDs
A Belfast sex shop owner was fined a total of £2,000 at Belfast’s Magistrates Court after more than 500 videos and DVDs were seized from his premises. Brian Hope, the owner of stores ‘Naughty Butt Nice’ at 2 Smithfield Square, Belfast and ‘Gresham Bookshop’ at 2 Gresham Street pleaded guilty to 16 charges under the video recordings act.
Sex shop owner fined over unclassified DVDs
A Belfast sex shop owner was fined a total of £2,000 at Belfast’s Magistrates Court after more than 500 videos and DVDs were seized from his premises. Brian Hope, the owner of stores ‘Naughty Butt Nice’ at 2 Smithfield Square, Belfast and ‘Gresham Bookshop’ at 2 Gresham Street pleaded guilty to 16 charges under the video recordings act.
15 November 2024
Belfast City Council Approves Range Of Transformative Projects
Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has given the green light to a series of projects aimed at transforming the city's landscape. One significant development is the redevelopment of the former police station at 21 Queen Street into a 74-bedroom hotel.
Belfast City Council Approves Range Of Transformative Projects
Belfast City Council's Planning Committee has given the green light to a series of projects aimed at transforming the city's landscape. One significant development is the redevelopment of the former police station at 21 Queen Street into a 74-bedroom hotel.
25 September 2015
Toy Shop Owner Jailed For Five Years
A self employed children's toy shop owner has been jailed for five years for attempting to smuggle Class B drugs into the UK in containers of toys. Kristopher Scott, 33, from Ballymoney, was arrested in November 2013 after Border Force officers seized 24kgs of Methylmethcathinone in childrens ride on cars and mechanical fish.
Toy Shop Owner Jailed For Five Years
A self employed children's toy shop owner has been jailed for five years for attempting to smuggle Class B drugs into the UK in containers of toys. Kristopher Scott, 33, from Ballymoney, was arrested in November 2013 after Border Force officers seized 24kgs of Methylmethcathinone in childrens ride on cars and mechanical fish.
16 September 2014
Shops Damaged In Bangor, Co Down
A number of shops in Bangor's town centre have been damaged in an attack. Police have said the incident occurred in Main Street in the town in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Windows were smashed at a number of properties, including The Mortgage Shop, Asda and Boots, while damage was also caused to vehicles in the area.
Shops Damaged In Bangor, Co Down
A number of shops in Bangor's town centre have been damaged in an attack. Police have said the incident occurred in Main Street in the town in the early hours of Tuesday morning. Windows were smashed at a number of properties, including The Mortgage Shop, Asda and Boots, while damage was also caused to vehicles in the area.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Clear start with a fairly widespread frost developing. Increasing cloud brings occasionally heavy rain overnight, preceded, especially over western hills, briefly by snow. Occasional southeasterly gales, severe near coasts, developing. Minimum temperature -2 °C.
