Massage parlour plan sparks fury

ANGRY residents and shopkeepers outside the proposed massage parlour (left to right) Carol Hemmings, Helen Pape-Jones, Michele Stockton, Lewis Quigg, Councillor Phil Rogers, Nancy Turner and Helen Wilson

Plans to open a massage parlour on Broadway just yards from a Chadderton private primary school have come under fire.

Objectors say the existing massage parlour, Silks, attracts anti-social behaviour, and plans to move it a few yards round the corner into Broadway, above a double-fronted shop, will make it worse.

The proposed site is close to Firwood Manor private school and surrounded by family houses.

A petition is circulating in Broadway and the Park estate, and Councillors Jack Hulme, Len Quinn and Phil Rogers will be at Penzance Place, the residents’ meeting room, tomorrow at 8 15pm, for a public meeting.

Silks, currently above a shop on Parkgate, has been subjected to two robberies and an arson attack in recent years.

In 2002, police investigated a rape and violent robbery there.

The plans sent to Oldham Council apply for a change of use from offices to a health studio with three treatment rooms and a tanning room, above 94-96 Broadway. The applicant is BMJ Rentals and the agent is Raymond Fish, both of Blackburn.

Hairdresser Helen Pape-Jones, who runs Hair Emporium next door to Silks, said: “It is the type people it attracts, and the fact that it is open 24/7.

“On Friday and Saturday nights there are taxis and cars and it is like Piccadilly Circus.

“The man who runs it lives in Blackburn, and doesn’t put anything into the local community. Why doesn’t he open up in Blackburn?”

Helen Wilson, who owns Nell and Jack’s shoe shop, which caters for children, said: “Saturday mornings are bad. There are people high on drink or drugs who vomit and urinate near-by.”

Firwood Manor, a preparatory school, attracts children of soccer stars and local business people. Head teacher Pamela Wild said: “The school will be objecting.

“We do not feel there should be such an establishment in close proximity to a school.”

Resident Carol Barnett from Broadway added: “We get condoms on the pavement and ladies hanging out of the windows shouting.

“I have grandchildren who come visiting me and I just don’t want a massage parlour there.”

Neighbour Michele Stockton, who is raising a petition, said: “There is a primary school just down the road, and little tots walk past.”

Raymond Fish said the applicant was on holiday but he would let him know about the opposition to the change of use, adding: “It is not much different to offices.”