To the Members of Norwich City Council,
We write to you today not simply as concerned citizens, but as parents, residents, and stakeholders in the future of our community. The subject of our deep concern is the application by the venue known as ‘Secret’ – a premises operating as a sex entertainment venue – to renew and extend its sexual entertainment venue (SEV) licence. While we acknowledge the legal framework governing such establishments, we urge the Council to firmly reject this application on the grounds of profound incompatibility with the immediate environment, specifically the presence of Charles Darwin Primary School a mere 25 metres away.
This is not a matter of moral judgement on the establishment’s legality, but one of fundamental appropriateness and the duty to safeguard the welfare of children. The proposed continuation of this venue so close to a primary school creates an unacceptable conflict of interests that cannot be mitigated by licensing conditions alone.
The Primary Argument: An Unacceptable Proximity to a Place of Learning
The most critical detail, which cannot be overstated, is the 25-metre distance between the venue’s door and the school gates. Charles Darwin Primary is a hub for hundreds of young, impressionable children. Their daily journey to and from school should be one of safety, innocence, and focus. The presence of a sexual entertainment venue directly on this route fundamentally undermines this principle.
As detailed in the reporting by the Evening News, the venue’s own attempts to attract customers, including the use of promotional language and offers, are inherently at odds with the environment required for a primary school. The very nature of the business, regardless of how discreetly it attempts to operate, creates an atmosphere that is inappropriate for children. The Council’s own policy on the location of SEVs must prioritise the protection of children from exposure to such adult-orientated enterprises. To grant a licence under these circumstances would be a failure of that core responsibility.
Impact on the Community and Public Nuisance
The concerns extend beyond the immediate school run. The application, as reported, includes requests for extended operating hours. This increases the likelihood of public nuisance – including noise, increased traffic, and the presence of patrons – coinciding with times when children and parents are in the area. This could include after-school clubs, evening events at the school, or weekend activities.
Furthermore, the article highlights that the venue has previously been the subject of complaints and police call-outs. This history indicates a pattern of disruption that is incompatible with a location adjacent to a school. The anxiety and discomfort felt by parents and residents are palpable and justified. Licensing this venue for continued operation effectively sanctions a permanent source of stress for the community it is nestled within, directly contradicting the Council’s duty to promote public safety and prevent nuisance.
Safeguarding and the Message We Send
Granting this licence would send a damaging message about what our community values. It would signal that the commercial interests of a sex venue are placed above the safeguarding and well-being of our youngest citizens. Schools work tirelessly to create a secure and nurturing environment; having an SEV as a next-door neighbour actively works against these efforts. It forces parents to have difficult and premature conversations with their children and creates an environment where they must be hyper-vigilant about what their children see and hear in a place that should be unequivocally safe.
The Council has the power and the responsibility to draw a clear line. Designating areas around schools as unsuitable for such venues is a standard and necessary practice in responsible town planning. The 25-metre proximity is not a minor detail; it is an insurmountable obstacle.
Conclusion: A Decision for Our Children’s Future
In conclusion, we respectfully implore the Norwich City Council to reject the application for the renewal and extension of the sexual entertainment venue licence for ‘Secret’. The arguments are clear and compelling: the venue’s extreme proximity to Charles Darwin Primary School creates an unacceptable conflict, poses a risk of public nuisance, and fundamentally compromises the safe, child-focused environment the school and community strive to maintain.
This decision is about more than a licence; it is about the character of our neighbourhood and the protection of our children. We trust that the Council will act decisively to prioritise the welfare of the young people in its care and refuse this application. Let us work together to ensure that the path to school remains a place of learning and growth, not a corridor past an adult entertainment venue.
Sincerely,
A Coalition of Concerned Parents, Residents, and Community Stakeholders
