Gay club clashes with local council over ‘kinky’ sign

Illustrated rainbow pride flag on a pink background.

Kinky Boots cabaret club in Darleston has resisted an order by local authorities to remove a sign outside its premises showing a man in knee-length PVC boots.

The club insists that the boards on which the images are mounted are in place to stop vandals smashing the club’s windows, as has happened before.

Planning authorities say that the 4ft boards violate planning regulations, and ordered them to be removed in December after several members of the public complained that the images are offensive.

The club was given until January to remove the images, but as of yet has not complied.

Councillors have threatened to take enforcement action if the club fails to cooperate, and could impose a heavy fine.

Bloxwich West Councillor Melivn Pitt said he could not see what the fuss was about, but other councillors were opposed to the sign.

Development committee chairman Councillor Mike Bird said that members of the community such as faith groups or the elderdly would find the images offensive. He told ExpressAndStar.com:

“The last thing I want to see is another business in Darlaston close down.

“But now, owners of the club should be talking to the council’s planners to see how they can get around the problem.

“The right action would be to accept the officers recommendation to proceed to legal action.

“As for people saying these are homophobic views, this is absolute rubbish.

“Personally I have quite liberal views, but there are those who do take offence.

“There is also the view these boards are a distraction to passing motorists.”

Keith Chambers, Councillor for Bentley and Darlaston North, supports the action to be taken against Kinky Boots.

“That was the right decision as far as I’m concerned,” he said.

“Quite a few people in the community found those images quite offensive and I share that view.

“The sooner those signs are taken down, the better.”

The row over the images has caused many members of the community to come out in support of Kinky Boots.

A Facebook group, described as being “For everyone gay or straight who think that the boards causing controversy should be allowed to remain,” has been set up, and so far has 734 members.

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