A shop selling sex toys without a licence is being investigated

Council sees through X-rated threat

A shop selling sex toys without a licence is being investigated

Hammersmith & Fulham council officers and Fulham police visited the Fulham Road shop following complaints from members of the public.

Licensing and trading standards officers took a detailed inventory of every item in the shop to determine whether the council should take further action, and also seized a sample of the sex toys on sale, including pornographic videos and DVDs. Under licensing laws, a shop where a significant degree of the stock is sex articles needs a Sex Establishment licence.

Officers will now analyse the stock details for Ziggla, before deciding whether to take further action.

Deputy for environment, Cllr Michael Cartwright, said: "The council is serious about cracking down on businesses who operate without the correct licences in place. While we encourage a diversity of businesses in the borough, they do need to be managed properly. Sex Establishment licences are strictly monitored to ensure shops selling sex toys do not cause offence and that items are not sold to children underage."

A complaint about Ziggla was first made in March this year, and council licensing officers visited the shop. The council then contacted lawyers acting on behalf of the store's owner, advising them the store should apply for a Sex Establishment licence or face prosecution. When no reply was received, and no application was made, the council decided to take further action.

June 4, 2004