Parents’ fury at adult fetish event called ‘Kinky Playpen’ planned for children’s soft play centre
Cops say it isn't illegal but mums and dads brand it 'morally wrong and unhygienic'
PARENTS are outrage that a fetish event is being organised at a CHILDREN's play centre.
Tickets were on sale for an adult party event called "Kinky Playpen" to be held at a soft play centre.
In online adverts for the event organisers said: "We have taken over a soft play and added several pieces of dungeon furniture to make the ultimate play space."
It urged potential attendees to "let your imagination run wild", claiming the soft play area would be "great for rope and restriction".
Promoters said that "all kink is welcome" but asked partygoers to refrain from "toilet play and full nudity" at the £15-a-ticket bash, planned for August 26.
An advert for the event, which was scheduled to run from 9pm to 2am, read: "Friction Ropes presents our new play night KINKY PLAYPEN BRIGHTON.
"We have taken over a soft play and added several pieces of dungeon furniture to make the ultimate play space.
"The evening will start at 9pm and run till 2am. There isn't a bar but you're welcome to bring your own (but please don't get too drunk, any one that is deemed too drunk or poses a threat to others will either be refused entry or asked to leave).
"All kink is welcome, but we don't have a sex or nudity licence. Because of the nature of the soft play the rest of the week we ask no sharps, no toilet play, no full nudity."
Brighton mother of two Emma Williams said: "I like to think I'm fairly open minded but there is no way I would take my kids to Westows again if I knew this kind of event had been going on there the night before. Even if it's not breaking any rules or laws it just feels morally wrong and unhygienic."
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An outraged resident, who saw the advertisement for the event, said: "This is a bondage event advertised for a children's play area.
"Surely this is against the law?
"There is no way I would take children to places where there are events like this."
Father James Wallin, of Hollingbury, Brighton added: "This is not the place for these sorts of events."
Following the public backlash the Westows centre, based in Hove, East Sussex, said that it would be cancelling the event if it was found to breach any laws or licensing guidelines.
Manager David McLaughlin said: "Someone has asked if they can hold this event at the venue.
"As things stand it is not a confirmed booking.
"I was contacted by a man who was quite angry about it and suggested it might be illegal.
"I am speaking to a solicitor and the organisers about what exactly they intend to do. If their plans break any laws then it won't be going ahead."
It is not believed that there are any laws or licensing reasons for banning bondage events in private venues - even those places designed for young children. However parents were outraged by the proposed event.
One organiser using the name Friction Ropes said there were "negative assumptions" about the event and said they were no longer planning on using Westows- in favour of another soft play centre - but refused to say where.
At the same time organisers posted a message on a discussion forum saying "they've had our event cancelled. So sorry guys."
Brighton and Hove City Council said they did not believe the event contravened any licensing rules.
Sussex Police said that if the event was on private property it was not illegal.
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