Sex sign prompts complaint | Canterbury News | Local News in Canterbury

Two city councillors have lodged formal complaints about a sex sign outside a Manchester St business.

The move follows an article in The Star last week, highlighting the re-emergence of the sign in front of Stacey's Massage Lounge advertising a "Wednesday orgy" for $120.

In the last week, councillors Gail Sheriff and Helen Broughton have made complaints about the sign, which they believe is in breach of the existing Brothels Bylaw because of its design and content.

"I think it's a total breach because it's a stand-alone sign," said Cr Broughton.

Cr Sheriff said the sign was offensive. "It is the first I had seen of this when you showed it to me yesterday and to say the least it is disgusting and not what we want in this city," she said.

Acting inspections and enforcement manager Anne Columbus said based on information in The Star, it appeared the bylaw had been breached, but enforcement officers needed to see the sign to confirm this. "Failure to comply with the bylaw may result in further enforcement action, but the exact action will depend on the nature of the breaches," she said.

It is the second time the sign has appeared outside the central business - it disappeared after The Star reported on it last September.

The Christchurch City Brothels Location and Signage Bylaw was introduced in 2004. After consultation last year, the existing Bylaw, Advertising Standards Authority and Resource Management Act will continue to control signs for sexual services.

However, the bylaw will be reviewed before July next year.

Advertising Standards Authority executive director Hilary Souter said when a complaint was made, the advertisement was assessed on whether it breached the standards code. The process usually takes four to six weeks. If upheld, the business owner was asked to modify or remove the sign, said Ms Souter.