The owner of The Brighton Sauna has quashed concerns over CCTV cameras in use throughout the venue.
The move comes after a PinkPaper.com reader contacted us claiming that a camera had been installed in the dark room.
The concerned reader was worried the monitoring equipment was "an utterly outrageous invasion of privacy."
But, after a PinkPaper.com investigation, Adam Bailey – the venue's owner – has insisted that the security measure complies with UK law and is only used if police request footage.
He told PinkPaper.com: "Our premises license stipulates a condition that we have to have CCTV 'throughout the building, inside and out, recordable for 30 days, and made available to the Police should they need access'. We had our annual licensing inspection yesterday, coincidentally, and they looked at the whole system, and were 100% satisfied with it, and how it is set up, and where.
"The purpose of the system, as dictated on our license, is 'for the prevention of crime and disorder', one of the four licensing objectives that every premises license holder has to meet throughout the UK."
The Brighton Sauna is a popular attraction in the city, which is known for its liberal attitudes to same-sex couples.
When we specifically asked Bailey about the cameras in the changing room and the dark room, he said: "The cameras in the locker room have already assisted the police in one arrest, for theft of mobile phones from several venues, which resulted in imprisonment, and a few other cases as well, so it has proven it’s worth.
"There are signs around the building, one on reception, and one in the locker room, advising customers of the system, and the audio recording aspect, which we have to do by law, in accordance with the Data Protection Act of 1998. This act also dictates that broadcasting it on the Internet or allowing anyone outside of the managers or staff to view the recorded content is strictly illegal, and we would never consider doing that, obviously.
"We are a very responsible business, and use the CCTV system to create a safe environment for everyone, staff and customers alike.
"The camera in the dark room, which used to be the cinema, is pointed at a fire door, which is now obscured by a plastic industrial curtain to the dark room, and the camera is no longer connected, although it had power, which illuminated the LEDs. This has now been removed completely, in readiness for it to be re-sited so that it can monitor the fire door as before.
"I can categorically state that we abide by the letter of the law with regard to the use of this system, although we do appreciate how this one camera may have caused some concerns during this transition period.
"But this has now been addressed, and is no longer an issue."
