10/18/2006
The Planning Department has notified councillors of an application to convert the retail premises which previously housed the Powerhouse (formerly MEB) showroom on Bearwood Road into an adult amusement centre. So, what exactly constitutes an adult amusement centre? A seedy lap dancing club? A slot machine venue? A pornographic bookshop? These are all possibilities that have been the subject of speculation in Bearwood. My colleague Steve Eling has checked it out and the only information available is that they wish to convert from retail use to ... an adult amusement centre!
Well, they are going to have to come up with a lot more than that if they are to receive planning permission. Basically, Bearwood is not what you might regard as an entertainment centre. We are not Las Vegas, not even Blackpool, or even Broad Street in Birmingham. We are a small village on the edge of Sandwell and about 4 miles from the centre of Birmingham.
Our adults amuse themselves in the area by going to one of the fine restaurants in Bearwood, nipping out for the ocassional drink or two, and with fairly traditional pursuits such as gardening, DIY and watching TV. That is not to say they are staid or boring.... but if they want to catch a movie, go to a nightclub (or god forbid, a casino) they head off into the centre of Birmingham for a night out.
What they do not need is a 24-hour gambling den at the bottom of their garden or a night club at the end of the road. Also, whilst an empty electricity showroom may not do anything to enhance the shopping centre, and it is a shopping centre that needs some enhancement, let's face it, I also strongly suspect people (or should I say the overwhelming majority of people) would not want a sex shop in the middle of the town.
So, we wait with baited breath for news of exactly what 'amusement' for adults the applicant intends to provide, but if he wants to know the strength of the likely opposition to anything undesirable, I would suggest he talks to Blue Chip Casinos!
Posted: 10/18/2006