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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)
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