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U.K. Swingers Club Fights Closure Order By Claiming Club Boosts Local Economy
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U.K. Swingers Club Fights Closure Order By Claiming Club Boosts Local Economy Business trade organizations often put out “studies” – the quality and validity of the research varies greatly – that claim the industry in question, (hotels, hot stands, floor waxes, dessert toppings, or what have you) adds significantly to the economy. These studies are very useful in government lobbying efforts, as well as in attracting more members to the sponsoring organizations. Problem is, when one adds up all the extra-generated value these studies claim, the combined dollars supposedly generated are considerably more value than the U.S. gross national product – which is, of course, impossible. Lies, damned lies, and statistics. A reporter once cornered the chief economist at a marketing advocacy organization and asked exactly what went into generating that organization’s figures. In an effort to flatter (and misdirect) the reporter, the economist beamed, shook the reporter’s hand, and said “You know, people received the Nobel Prize in Economics for asking just such a question.” “No,” the reporter replied. “People received the Nobel Prize in Economics for answering just such a question.” And the interview continued, much to the subject’s discomfort. So while I take these types of claims with a very large grain of salt, it’s still gratifying to see ‘em applied to the swinging community. In an online article titled “Swingers’ club ‘supports other businesses’ claim,” the Blackpool Gazette reported that Chris Maher, owner of the club Blackpool Connections, made exactly that sort of claim as part of the fight to keep his business open. The town council alleges he does not have the proper licenses to operate a swing club. But this does not daunt Maher, who sees his club as a booster for the local economy. “As many as 40 hotel rooms a week are booked up because of my sauna,” he claimed, according to an early June article Blackpool Gazette. “Cafes are being used, shops are being used, there’s a knock-on effect.” Love those knock-on effects! But why stop at naming hotel rooms specifically? Druggists are presumably selling condoms (which the British call “French letters” or “johnnys”) and mouthwash to swingers, no? Swingers have to eat, too: Chances are local restaurants are doing a smart business in the sandwiches known in northern England as “buttys”. Taxi services certainly are benefiting as well, one might imagine. Don’t take my word for it: “If I close down, it’s not just me that suffers – the economy of Blackpool that will suffer,” Maher added. Maher is apparently marshaling other local businesses around him. Norman Gillies, who owns the deliciously named nearby Tuck In Café, told the Blackpool Gazette that “[Maher’s] customers come in on a Sunday morning and they will spend £20 – it’s not a lot but it’s not a busy cafe and it goes a long way.” “They come in here, they are not rude, it’s not a big deal for us,” Gillies added. “I certainly support his efforts to stay open – at the end of the day all you’re going to have is an empty property.” “I have got five people who work for me who are going to be on the dole because of this,” Maher claimed. Blackpool boasts a population of 142,100 – those five would have to be absorbed into the town’s labor force, should the club close. Maher is prepared to take some radical steps to make sure that doesn’t happen. In a late-August follow-up story in the Blackpool Gazette (“Sex club boss vows to fight”), he proclaimed “I am not going to take this lying down – I am going to chain myself to the doors of the town hall.” Additional reports as to whether Maher made good on his threat, or what he takes lying down as part of his club duties, were not available. On a separate publishing-related note: Gotta love those not-quite-right efforts at contextually placed ads. The banner spot that accompanied this article the first time I accessed it urged me to “find love online”. It was for The Shelter Pet Project dot org – a pet adoption service. Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic |
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That grain of salt...is that sea salt, table salt, kosher salt, road salt? It does make a difference. Neat that you pointed out that most brick-in-the-wall-of-the-economy claims are...ahem...somewhat exaggerated. It's pretty funny in the context of swinging since it's kind of a new approach to promoting the practice. There was a strip club in an old neighborhood here. It had been there as long as I can remember and for as long as I can remember local civic leaders had been lamenting its presence. All kinds of claims were made about the positive impact of the club's removal. The club finally moved. I think the move itself is a bit suspicious. It's my feeling that they wanted to move to a new location and managed to make it appear that they were bowing to pressure so as to receive benefits from the city. The old neighborhood continued the decline which it had begun fifty years ago. It's difficult to see that either the presence or the absence of the strip club had much effect one way or another. There will likely always be people who disapprove of other people having fun, especially when that fun involves genitals. Become a member now and get a free tote bag.
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That grain of salt...is that sea salt, table salt, kosher salt, road salt? It does make a difference. Neat that you pointed out that most brick-in-the-wall-of-the-economy claims are...ahem...somewhat exaggerated. It's pretty funny in the context of swinging since it's kind of a new approach to promoting the practice. There was a strip club in an old neighborhood here. It had been there as long as I can remember and for as long as I can remember local civic leaders had been lamenting its presence. All kinds of claims were made about the positive impact of the club's removal. The club finally moved. I think the move itself is a bit suspicious. It's my feeling that they wanted to move to a new location and managed to make it appear that they were bowing to pressure so as to receive benefits from the city. The old neighborhood continued the decline which it had begun fifty years ago. It's difficult to see that either the presence or the absence of the strip club had much effect one way or another. There will likely always be people who disapprove of other people having fun, especially when that fun involves genitals. I'm perfectly happy to have swinging's impact presented to a (comparatively) small city... if a city of more than 100,000 can be called that. While the claims may be over-exaggerated, a quiet, respectful club that has a doorman presence should be welcome in most neighborhoods. (I have no idea whether this club has a doorman. Perhaps it could offer that as a sop to the neighborhood?) The big question, of course, will be what will fill the club's space, should it move. Empty lots benefit no one. Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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And thank you for commenting! Yeah, seeming contextual ads which are placed alongside news stories based on keywords can be unintentionally funny, if not counterproductive. Why space sales people don't block placement of certain types of ads against crime stories or sex stories is beyond me... if nothing else, the advertisers should moan loudly. I've heard of stories similar to the silver dollar tale you tell, so I'm willing to believe there is some truth to it. Silver dollars and two-dollar bills are uncommon enough that an influx can make a very emphatic economic point. Few protests, or consumer actions, get more attention than ones with dollars attached. Control the purse strings, and you'll control the debate. Looking forward, as I continue to blog about the business, and portrayal, of swinging in the media, to your take, from the dismal science's perspective, on the sorry scheme of things entire! Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Well, this is a chicken-and-egg problem. Do neighborhoods become bad neighborhoods because they allow these types of shops... or are these types of neighborhoods the only types that will allow these types of shops in 'em? Here in NYC, we have one or two adult stores located discreetly in office buildings. They tend to be well lit, staffed with intelligent salespeople... and they offer their wares only to women in couples. As far as I know, their corporate neighbors have no complaints. On premises swing clubs in Buffalo... a quick internet search turns up only one, and that site doesn't have a lot of information about it. So there's a niche, waiting to be scratched! Video Liquidators, though, sounds more like a pick-up joint to me... and I wouldn't be surprised if there was strong, um, "rentable affection" element either within or nearby the singles theater. I'd also be very surprised if it wasn't primarily a male venue... Remember, if either partner can't say no (even/especially for economic reasons), it ain't swinging... Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Good and interesting read.. Seems they always make a buck some how hugsssssssssssss V Become a blog watcher sweet_vm
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Good and interesting read.. Seems they always make a buck some how hugsssssssssssss V Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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Interesting post.  Another not-so-well known economic benefit of swinging is the increasing use of budget hotels for meets! I did a post a while back on this, which you may (or may not) be interested in - PREMIER INN. 
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Interesting post. Another not-so-well known economic benefit of swinging is the increasing use of budget hotels for meets! I did a post a while back on this, which you may (or may not) be interested in - PREMIER INN. They can't believe that guest snores that loudly, can they? Welcome to the blog! Hope you check out our virtual symposium -- once a month a group of us pick a topic and simultaneously (well, within a day or so) post takes on that topic. Hope you'll join us for the next one! Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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I wonder if the Brits have a better sense of humor about swing clubs than they do here the USA. I am thinking this just based on the fact that you're picking up more reportage on their scene than what's here. Here I think we have way more 'fire & brimstone' around sexuality. But -- a promise -- I'll strive for my next portrayal-of-swinging post to have an American root. No promises that I'll be successful in doing so, but I'll give it a whirl... assuming that nothing continental presents a better story. Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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L & I was the main force behind the closing (or prevented the opening) of most of the in-city-limits swing clubs in Philly... The square footage, the "kitchen" areas, the stairwell widths, all kinds of things were cited in order to get/keep clubs out of the city. A news station even sent in an undercover reporter to one with a hidden cam! Right now I think there's only one club actually operating within the city and it's practically under an interstate underpass. The others are in the industrial areas outside the city. The one near us in Maryland (out in the country) is privately owned... and in a junkyard. Seriously. A legitimate junkyard and salvage business! The only club in Baltimore is again, outside city limits in a "commercial/industrial" area. I couldn't imagine the logistics of having a club downtown in a city... and even though we didn't make it to any of the ones in your fair city, the amount of secrecy regarding just the location was noted!
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test Stop in, read, and offer comments at my "swinging as seen in the media" blog, "Confessions of a Lifestyle Man" humorlife, which is also the home of the monthly virtual symposium. New post: The Virtual Symposium Returns Lets Pick A Topic
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