Campaign to shut Chester massage parlour near university, infant school and MP’s home

Apr 15 2010 by David Holmes, Chester Chronicle

cheyneyroad

A CAMPAIGN is growing to close a massage parlour in a residential area near the University of Chester and an infant school.

Chester Students’ Union urges students to object to a planning application which would allow the parlour to continue at the former tapas bar premises in Cheyney Road.

The location is close to the university, Victoria Infant School and Children’s Centre, student accommodation and Stone House Care Home.

Applicant Bonita Westgarth already runs The Bungalow massage parlour at Shotwick, near Chester, despite legal action by the landlord to get her removed.

A students’ union spokeswoman said students are asked to write to the council to object to the plans.

Professor Tim Wheeler, vice chancellor of the University of Chester, said: “A massage parlour is undesirable where there are families with young children, students and elderly and vulnerable people.”

Roz Scott, of Leonard Street, said: “I’m a student and would no longer feel safe walking home knowing the kind of people who might visit this establishment.”

Labour Party parliamentary candidate Christine Russell, who lives near the premises, called First Class, said: “It’s an inappropriate location right in the middle of a residential area with lots of young students and lots of older people.

“There’s no on-site parking at all. It would be exceedingly difficult for her to carry on a discreet business.”

PC Steve Baldwin is monitoring the premises, which charges £50 for ‘a full personal service’, but said a business with one working girl and one receptionist was not illegal.

There have been more than 70 objections to the retrospective application, which is recommended for approval by councillors at a committee in Chester next Tuesday.

Moral opposition is not grounds for objection. The deadline for objections is Friday.