Neighbours' fears over too many men using Staffordshire 'massage therapy space' - Stoke on Trent Live

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A massage business can expand - despite concerns about too many men previously visiting the site. Cannock Chase Council slapped an enforcement notice on the premises last year 'in relation to the use of land for the sale of sexual services'.

But the case remains unproven, the business is now in new ownership, the leaseholder has changed, and permission has been granted to use the upstairs for 'massage therapy space'.

It means the number of customers and staff on the site - on North Street, in Cannock - can now double. It is open from 10am to 10pm every day.

A report to the council planning committee stated: “The site remains the subject to ongoing investigations and monitoring by planning enforcement in liaison with Staffordshire Police. This, however, is not a material planning consideration for the determination of this application and members are asked to consider the use within the application and no other alleged use.”

Bridgtown Parish Council and three residents had objected to the application.

A parish council letter stated: “Several businesses and residents on North Street have raised their concerns regarding the amount of men going in and out. Concerns are regarding the volume of men frequenting the premises and the times of day these men are going in and out.

“It has been reported to myself, as parish clerk, that it is constant, from early as 7am until after 10pm at night. Residents are worried regarding who these men are and they didn’t like it being in a residential area where children have to pass by to attend school.

“One lady who lives in the street said she felt uncomfortable and wouldn’t walk out in the street at night. A shop owner stated that she wished it wasn’t there and it’s not nice for customers coming to her premises.”

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