Concerns over proposed sex shop next to domestic abuse centre
Concerns have been raised about proposals to open a sex shop next to a domestic abuse support centre.
Goodman said she had not been aware of the work done at One Stop Shop but fully supported it and that her values aligned with theirs, adding its work was "essential".
Referring to her own values and "by extension" those of Swon, Goodman said: "For that reason I don't believe the two services are incompatible."
Goodman said Swon would be inclusive, sex-positive, female-owned and operated, and built around the values of consent, education and dignity.
She said she wanted to help break down the shame around sex and welcomed all genders and backgrounds to create a safe and respectful space for adults, and women in particular, "to explore their sexuality safely, confidently and without judgement".
Goodman added she hoped Swon would operate from 09:00 BST to 20:00 seven days a week, but said Sundays would be for workshops rather than the retail element of the business.
Goodman said she had an "impeccable track record" of managing Simply Pleasure, on Park Street, for 11 years before it closed.
"When I got made redundant it was obviously devastating and heartbreaking, and I felt like I was losing not just my job but also the community I had built up over the years," she said.
"It has been a dream of mine to have my own shop for years now."
Asked by councillor Mark Tribe if Simply Pleasure had attracted "unsavoury people", she said not in her experience.
She said she and colleagues had radios which could alert the council-employed city centre rangers if required.
Councillors heard Swon would have mirrored stickers on its ground floor windows and an internal partition would prevent people on the street seeing anything inside it when customers went in and out.
