Our Objections

Below is a list of our objections to Satchmo’s proposal to open a Sex Encounters Establishment in our residential area.

This is not intended as an exhaustive list - some residents, businesses and community leaders have additional religious and political issues with this proposal.

Our campaign has the full support of Ken Livingstone (Mayor of London), Jules Pipe (Mayor of Hackney), Diane Abbott (MP for Stoke Newington) and the three ward councillors for Stoke Newington - Jamie Carswell, Rita Krishna and Muttalip Unluer

1) The potential danger of harassment and intimidation for local women

Research carried out by Eaves:

There is evidence to link a sudden rise in sexual assaults in previously 'safe' areas with the opening of sex clubs and shops. An example of this is the Lilith report, more information about which can be found here on the eaves website, showing a rise in sexual assaults and rape (by 57% and 50% respectively) in Camden over three years following the opening of strip clubs.

From the EVENING STANDARD published 6^th March 2008:

“The number of reported rapes near lap-dancing bars is three times the national average. And whatever proprietors say, sex can be bought - a quarter of men in one study claimed they had sex for money on the premises. In Camden, which has at least half-a-dozen licensed adult clubs, women consider the surrounding streets "no-go areas" and complain of being harassed by touts. In some areas, taxis won't stop.”

See full story here.

2) We have already seen evidence of harassment

A young single woman who lives on Palatine Road approached Satchmo’s for an explanation of what was being proposed. While on the premises a customer overheard the conversation and asked her if she was a dancer auditioning for a job. This is evidence already of the way in which local women will be viewed by patrons of this bar.

3) Location on a residential street

This directly contravenes the Council’s guidelines. Council Guide Lines: Sex Shops, Sex Cinemas & Sex Encounter Premises published by Hackney Council states:

"The council shall not normally grant a licence where there are residentially occupied premises, schools (including nursery groups) or places of worship, within 50 metres of the premises seeking a licence."

Currently:

- there approximately 46 residents on Palatine Road who live within 50m of Satchmo’s.

- the entrance to a further 11 flats lies directly opposite the pub.

- there are 8 residential flats above Satchmo’s.

- there are 4 residences on Palatine Avenue which lie within 50m of Satchmo’s.

4) Proximity to places of worship

- The local Mosque is approximately 85m from Satchmo’s

- Attached to Satchmo’s (at 6-8 Palatine Road) is a community centre which is used as a place of worship and education

5) Proximity to schools

Claudia Jones Saturday School is held in the community centre which is attached to Satchmo’s (at 6-8 Palatine Road). Pupils from the school are seen at the front of the group of protesters at Saturday’s photo shoot.

Princess May Primary School is approximately 175m from Satchmo’s.

There are a number of nurseries located in the area surrounding Palatine Road.

A number of child minders live on Palatine Road.

6) A strong community spirit would be eroded

This is a multi-cultural street that lives in peace and harmony. Children play in the street and there are families who have lived here happily for decades.

This community looks out for one another – as we saw when almost 100 local people turned up to our protest on 8th March.

We have a number of great community initiatives including an annual fete for children on Butterfield Green at the end of the road and a local community orchard.

This way of life would be in danger.

7) Local community workers are against it

At Saturday’s demonstration we saw a very strong turn out from representatives of the Anatolian People’s Cultural Centre (89-91 Stoke Newington Rd). When the Stop The Strip Pub team contacted them to inform them of what was happening they were outraged and immediately pledged support.

Representatives of Claudia Jones – a black women’s educational project located three doors away from Satchmo’s (103 Stoke Newington Road) – are incensed and will be opposing the application.

8) Local businesses are against it

Representatives of the Stop The Strip Pub Campaign have been interviewing local businesses to gauge opinion. The majority had not been informed by Satchmo’s – the first they knew about the proposal was when we spoke to them. The majority were deeply concerned by the proposal and its implications for the community as a whole.

9) This area is improving – why introduce something which will open up a whole new range of social problems?

The proposal to open a strip pub in Stoke Newington suggests that the area is on the decline. This is very, very far from the case. Why do we want this to happen?

If we examine crime statistics for Hackney (see this link) it is clear that Hackney has historically had a far higher level of crime in comparison to the national average. It is the Campaign view that to add an establishment of this type in the locality would only increase the potential for greater crime and disorder in the area.

10) Social responsibility

This is a pub that does not care about the community. It is not operating in co-operation with the local community. It is operating in spite of the local community. It is showing a blatant disregard for the feelings and wishes of the community it is supposed to serve.

At no point has Satchmo’s ever sought to communicate any of its plans with local residents. Residents have had to contact the owners to find out what is going on. Satchmo’s has done the bare minimum by simply posting one notice on the Palatine Road side of the bar.

11) Not in anyone’s back yard

This is not NIMBYism – we would argue that this type of establishment should not be located near ANY residential street.

We support recent campaigns to oppose similar venues in residential areas in Acton and in Archway – See this link.

We are not opposing something that would do good for greater society. We are not opposing a wind farm for example.

We are opposing the location of a strip pub in a residential street.

12) What IS the argument FOR a strip pub in a residential area?

Exactly...