The saga over what will become of a renovated London strip club and massage parlour isn’t anywhere close to finished.
The owner of the former Famous Flesh Gordon’s at 2190 Dundas St. E. and the body rub parlour at the same address is appealing a decision to deny the necessary licenses for the businesses.
City officials say the renovated strip club failed its site inspection and the parlour license lapsed last year so it was cancelled by city councillors.
It’s not known how long the appeal process will take.
In the meantime, the city has undertaken a review of how it goes about licensing adult entertainment establishments in general, and there are questions over compliance with federal legislation.
“We know that what happens in body rub parlours meets the definition of prostitution under the federal legislation, and so does lap dancing,” said Megan Walker, executive director of the London Abused Women’s Centre. “How can the city of London license businesses that provide illegal activities?”
Walker says acting like we don’t know what goes on behind closed doors doesn’t stop it from happening.
“I don’t think there’s anybody in this entire city that believes men are walking into body rub parlours because they have a sore back. Men are walking into body rub parlours to be sexually stimulated by women, largely women who are exploited and trafficked.”
Current laws on prostitution in Canada, introduced in 2014, make it illegal to purchase sexual services but legal to sell them.
A public participation meeting dealing with all parts of the business licensing bylaw is scheduled for Oct. 4.