A final Kiss goodbye to the ‘swingers’ hotel (From Daily Echo)
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Southampton's controversial 'kinky hotel' Club Kiss has closed
9:55am Saturday 19th January 2013 in Southampton
By Luke Tugby, Senior reporter
Martin Millar outside Club Kiss in Woolston
IT IS a battle they had been fighting for months.
When a swingers’ club opened in the heart of a Southampton community at the end of September, residents pulled together in a show of defiance against the venue.
More than 1,000 homeowners in Woolston signed a petition against Club Kiss, which opened without planning permission from council chiefs.
But now residents can finally celebrate victory in their long-running campaign, after the man behind the “kinky” hotel, Martin Millar, moved the last of his equipment out of Milton House, in St Anne’s Road, yesterday.
Mr Millar has vowed to continue running his popular swingers’ parties – in Spain and Mexico.
As previously reported by the Daily Echo, council chiefs slapped a stop notice on the venue, preventing it from trading past December 2 last year.
Mr Millar had pledged to refer the decision to the planning inspectorate in Bristol, in a bid to re-open the venue.
But he told the Daily Echo: “I decided not to appeal against the council decision to close Club Kiss due to other business interests that I am now pursuing. I am now focusing on running swingers’ holidays in Spain from April and potentially Mexico later on in the year, as there is no money in running the business in Southampton anymore.
“I believe the owner of Milton House is now seeking planning permission to turn the building into flats, and if that is granted my lease on the building will be terminated.”
Ward councillor Warwick Payne, who is also the council’s housing and leisure boss, confirmed that a planning application had been submitted by Milton House owner, Pete Harding, to build two new apartments on vacant land next door to the site.
But he said that no application had been received to turn the former NHS rehabilitation centre into flats.
Cllr Payne added: “This is a great day for Woolston and it shows that the community will come together to fight against something that isn’t in the interests of the neighbourhood.
“Clearly this is a victory for the residents’ campaign to close Club Kiss, which opened without any permission from the council or consultation with residents. A quiet suburban family residential area was never the right location for a sex-based operation and it has been one of the most controversial issues I’ve dealt with during my time as a councillor.
“There will be a mixture of jubilation and relief for residents.
“We didn’t know how long the battle was going to last, but the residents were determined to see it through until the end and it looks like we have now reached that point.
Comments(36)
ohec
says...
10:19am Sat 19 Jan 13
Linesman
says...
11:21am Sat 19 Jan 13
ohec wrote:If they were like sheep, they would attract a different clientele.
Its a shame its closed as it appears there is a market for this type of club, its just a shame that Martin Millar doesn't go about things the right way and doing so must cost him a lot of money. As for the local residents i think they were just led like sheep by the ignorance of others.
SOULJACKER
says...
11:37am Sat 19 Jan 13
What was the problem with this place, were the locals worried bout people shagging behind closed doors & such, well guess what.......most people do it!
NIMBYS get a life & quit moaning bout everything that happens....Lighten up people of Woolston, it would have been the first decent thing to have happened in Woolston in a long time!
Subject48
says...
11:39am Sat 19 Jan 13
Linesman
says...
12:08pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Subject48 wrote:To what end?
this chap is very clever. Just look at the amount of press coverage he got. Good marketing for free ;)
Good marketing for free, for a product that is not available.
How clever is that?
Niel
says...
12:49pm Sat 19 Jan 13
sarfhamton
says...
1:58pm Sat 19 Jan 13
hulla baloo
says...
2:05pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Linesman wrote:Very clever when he opens his next 'hotel'
Subject48 wrote:To what end?
this chap is very clever. Just look at the amount of press coverage he got. Good marketing for free ;)
Good marketing for free, for a product that is not available.
How clever is that?
Sir Ad E Noid
says...
3:05pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Stupideditor
says...
3:12pm Sat 19 Jan 13
I wander if the locals would complain ifthis property was used as a care home with moaning of a different sort.
As a culture of diversity those that signed this petition are no more than NIMBYS..
ohec
says...
4:04pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Sir Ad E Noid wrote:How on earth you have the audacity to call us a miserable bunch i don't know, for it is you and your misguided bigoted friends who are the miserable ones, how you come to the conclusion that the value of your property would be affected i don't know, the building is still there and no matter what it is used for as long as it all goes on behind closed doors it is none of your business anymore than what goes on behind your door is anybody else's business although i don't suppose you indulge in sex if i dare mention that word you are to sad and miserable. I just hope that whatever the building and its land are used for it does reduce the value of your hard earn t property and also is detrimental to your lifestyle.
Glad this has come to a conclusion that the majority wanted. Now for the others: Ohec, SOULJACKER, Sarfhampton et al, I note you don't request that the Club moves near to you. There is only two reasons for this. The first is because you don't own your own house so you will not lose anything, especially in the value of your property, that you have worked hard to purchase. The second is because you are a miserable bunch and think they have to comment on everything and support the unsupportable minority, especially something as contentious as this. Please feel free to repost, I am wetting my pants in anticipation of your inane replies.
SOULJACKER
says...
5:02pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Sir Ad E Noid wrote:@ Sir Ad E Noid - Hahahaha, Oh my Lord, I live in Bevois Valley & own my own house too & this is tame for my area, lol
Glad this has come to a conclusion that the majority wanted. Now for the others: Ohec, SOULJACKER, Sarfhampton et al, I note you don't request that the Club moves near to you. There is only two reasons for this. The first is because you don't own your own house so you will not lose anything, especially in the value of your property, that you have worked hard to purchase. The second is because you are a miserable bunch and think they have to comment on everything and support the unsupportable minority, especially something as contentious as this. Please feel free to repost, I am wetting my pants in anticipation of your inane replies.
I would love something like that round here....all we got is drug dealers & Ho's & such.
People are having sex all the time (maybe not you) but wind it in for Christs sake who are they hurting!
As for wetting your pants, I am sure they could entertain that niche too (each to their own I guess)...you only have to ask :)
As for being miserable, nah that just ain't me, I am just a little dysfunctional I guess but not miserable :P
SOULJACKER
says...
5:07pm Sat 19 Jan 13
ohec wrote:Hahahahahaha, that is far too funny & I completely agree ohec :)
Sir Ad E Noid wrote:How on earth you have the audacity to call us a miserable bunch i don't know, for it is you and your misguided bigoted friends who are the miserable ones, how you come to the conclusion that the value of your property would be affected i don't know, the building is still there and no matter what it is used for as long as it all goes on behind closed doors it is none of your business anymore than what goes on behind your door is anybody else's business although i don't suppose you indulge in sex if i dare mention that word you are to sad and miserable. I just hope that whatever the building and its land are used for it does reduce the value of your hard earn t property and also is detrimental to your lifestyle.
Glad this has come to a conclusion that the majority wanted. Now for the others: Ohec, SOULJACKER, Sarfhampton et al, I note you don't request that the Club moves near to you. There is only two reasons for this. The first is because you don't own your own house so you will not lose anything, especially in the value of your property, that you have worked hard to purchase. The second is because you are a miserable bunch and think they have to comment on everything and support the unsupportable minority, especially something as contentious as this. Please feel free to repost, I am wetting my pants in anticipation of your inane replies.
8==========>~~~~~~~~
Should have gone for BDSM (Bondage & Discipline/ Dominance & Submission/ Sado-Masochism) as well in case you are wondering NIMBY's
SOULJACKER
says...
5:07pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Stupideditor wrote:Yep I agree :)
If he was running this business legitimately then he would have been paying local tax. Southampton is now loosing out from this revenue.
I wander if the locals would complain ifthis property was used as a care home with moaning of a different sort.
As a culture of diversity those that signed this petition are no more than NIMBYS..
SOULJACKER
says...
5:09pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Niel wrote:Ah, you mean Ho **** road don't you, lol, hahahahaha
Ho-**** Road Chandlers Ford would have been a more logical location...
SOULJACKER
says...
5:10pm Sat 19 Jan 13
SOULJACKER wrote:darn it they don't like the word C.U.M do they 8========>~~~~~~
Niel wrote:Ah, you mean Ho **** road don't you, lol, hahahahaha
Ho-**** Road Chandlers Ford would have been a more logical location...
SOULJACKER
says...
5:19pm Sat 19 Jan 13
sarfhamton wrote:Now that will be funny cause they deserve it.
Hope these NIMBYs get neighbours from hell in the new flats
Maybe a 'Crack House' or a 'Shabeen' now that would be funny :))))))
cantthinkofone
says...
5:21pm Sat 19 Jan 13
SOULJACKER
says...
5:35pm Sat 19 Jan 13
cantthinkofone wrote:Hahahaha, yeah that's what we get in our car park loads of used Jonnies, ewwwwwwww :)
I hope all the previous visitors carry on visiting, but make the car-park outside their venue instead.
SOULJACKER
says...
5:40pm Sat 19 Jan 13
http://www.youtube.c
om/watch?v=jPNX9WBw1
rs
J.P.M
says...
6:41pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Never mind NIGEL, there will be other opportunities
ha ha ha ha ha !
Pikey-Biker
says...
9:57pm Sat 19 Jan 13
hulla baloo wrote:Not really since all this free advertising is on a website which mainly focuses on Southampton issues not much use for his future projects in Bristol and Spain
Linesman wrote:Very clever when he opens his next 'hotel'Subject48 wrote: this chap is very clever. Just look at the amount of press coverage he got. Good marketing for free ;)To what end? Good marketing for free, for a product that is not available. How clever is that?
IronLady2010
says...
9:59pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Pikey-Biker
says...
10:18pm Sat 19 Jan 13
ohec wrote:You certainly changed your tune with your comment regarding the local residents
Its a shame its closed as it appears there is a market for this type of club, its just a shame that Martin Millar doesn't go about things the right way and doing so must cost him a lot of money. As for the local residents i think they were just led like sheep by the ignorance of others.
Pikey-Biker
says...
10:44pm Sat 19 Jan 13
Stupideditor wrote:Woolston isn’t exactly a ‘happening’ place and considering what Woolston has in the local area I think it was a poor choice to set up there, if it was set up in the city centre I don’t think there would be as many objections.
If he was running this business legitimately then he would have been paying local tax. Southampton is now loosing out from this revenue. I wander if the locals would complain ifthis property was used as a care home with moaning of a different sort. As a culture of diversity those that signed this petition are no more than NIMBYS..
IronLady2010
says...
11:11pm Sat 19 Jan 13
****-Biker wrote:I dunno, if it were on my doorstep............
Stupideditor wrote:Woolston isn’t exactly a ‘happening’ place and considering what Woolston has in the local area I think it was a poor choice to set up there, if it was set up in the city centre I don’t think there would be as many objections.
If he was running this business legitimately then he would have been paying local tax. Southampton is now loosing out from this revenue. I wander if the locals would complain ifthis property was used as a care home with moaning of a different sort. As a culture of diversity those that signed this petition are no more than NIMBYS..
....
WOOLSTONCHAP
says...
9:39am Sun 20 Jan 13
Martinmillar
says...
8:27pm Sun 20 Jan 13
I haven't really followed everything on here but did have a read tonight.
Anyone interested in coming to any swingers parties or holidays please get in touch houseparties4u@gmail
.com
With regards to councillor Payne you done woolston proud.
kingnotail
says...
9:11pm Sun 20 Jan 13
****-Biker wrote:Ha ha ha nowhere in Southampton is 'happening'..
Stupideditor wrote:Woolston isn’t exactly a ‘happening’ place and considering what Woolston has in the local area I think it was a poor choice to set up there, if it was set up in the city centre I don’t think there would be as many objections.
If he was running this business legitimately then he would have been paying local tax. Southampton is now loosing out from this revenue. I wander if the locals would complain ifthis property was used as a care home with moaning of a different sort. As a culture of diversity those that signed this petition are no more than NIMBYS..
Pikey-Biker
says...
9:42pm Sun 20 Jan 13
kingnotail wrote:Do you spout anything else rather than anti Southampton or anti Hampshire comments?
****-Biker wrote:Ha ha ha nowhere in Southampton is 'happening'..Stupideditor wrote: If he was running this business legitimately then he would have been paying local tax. Southampton is now loosing out from this revenue. I wander if the locals would complain ifthis property was used as a care home with moaning of a different sort. As a culture of diversity those that signed this petition are no more than NIMBYS..Woolston isn’t exactly a ‘happening’ place and considering what Woolston has in the local area I think it was a poor choice to set up there, if it was set up in the city centre I don’t think there would be as many objections.
kingnotail
says...
11:01pm Sun 20 Jan 13
****-Biker wrote:Who said I was anti-hampshire?
kingnotail wrote:Do you spout anything else rather than anti Southampton or anti Hampshire comments?
****-Biker wrote:Ha ha ha nowhere in Southampton is 'happening'..Stupideditor wrote: If he was running this business legitimately then he would have been paying local tax. Southampton is now loosing out from this revenue. I wander if the locals would complain ifthis property was used as a care home with moaning of a different sort. As a culture of diversity those that signed this petition are no more than NIMBYS..Woolston isn’t exactly a ‘happening’ place and considering what Woolston has in the local area I think it was a poor choice to set up there, if it was set up in the city centre I don’t think there would be as many objections.
Pikey-Biker
says...
11:45pm Sun 20 Jan 13
kingnotail wrote:I think you did old boy, you seem quite negative about certain locations but i have never seen a positive comment.
****-Biker wrote:Who said I was anti-hampshire?kingnotail wrote:Do you spout anything else rather than anti Southampton or anti Hampshire comments?****-Biker wrote:Ha ha ha nowhere in Southampton is 'happening'..Stupideditor wrote: If he was running this business legitimately then he would have been paying local tax. Southampton is now loosing out from this revenue. I wander if the locals would complain ifthis property was used as a care home with moaning of a different sort. As a culture of diversity those that signed this petition are no more than NIMBYS..Woolston isn’t exactly a ‘happening’ place and considering what Woolston has in the local area I think it was a poor choice to set up there, if it was set up in the city centre I don’t think there would be as many objections.
Subject48
says...
11:47am Mon 21 Jan 13
Pikey-Biker
says...
5:17am Tue 22 Jan 13
Perhaps a little more research and try and get the local council on your side before you open another “hotel”
Pikey-Biker
says...
5:21am Tue 22 Jan 13
****-Biker wrote:@kingnotail
kingnotail wrote:I think you did old boy, you seem quite negative about certain locations but i have never seen a positive comment.****-Biker wrote:Who said I was anti-hampshire?kingnotail wrote:Do you spout anything else rather than anti Southampton or anti Hampshire comments?****-Biker wrote:Ha ha ha nowhere in Southampton is 'happening'..Stupideditor wrote: If he was running this business legitimately then he would have been paying local tax. Southampton is now loosing out from this revenue. I wander if the locals would complain ifthis property was used as a care home with moaning of a different sort. As a culture of diversity those that signed this petition are no more than NIMBYS..Woolston isn’t exactly a ‘happening’ place and considering what Woolston has in the local area I think it was a poor choice to set up there, if it was set up in the city centre I don’t think there would be as many objections.
I take it by your silence that you remember your remark you made about hampshire?
huckit P says...
10:08am Sat 19 Jan 13