Kingsway Spa proposes ‘talk and touch therapy for adults’
Virtual public meeting held on plan for adult entertainment parlour
A woman who’s applied to open an adult entertainment parlour on The Kingsway offering “therapeutic body-rub massages and conversational support” says she’s planning an “upscale” establishment — with no sex.
Brittany Leigh says she’s been in the business since 2008; she’s worked in three adult spas in the GTA, both as a licensed attendant and as a manager.
She said the idea is to offer “talk and touch therapy for adults.”
“So there is partial nudity — that’s why it’s adult,” said Leigh at a virtual public consultation on Wednesday night, adding the conversational aspect of the service happens when clients “open up” to their attendants.
“But there’s no sexual activity at all,” she said.
Leigh — who lives in Pickering and plans to move to Peterborough with her family — offered the Zoom meeting to explain her plans.
She said wants to open The Kingsway Spa at 697 The Kingsway (a Medigas business occupies the space currently, with plans to move in spring). About a dozen people attended the virtual meeting, including staff from the city planning department, Peterborough Police and Peterborough Public Health.
The ward councillors also took part — Coun. Kim Zippel and Coun. Lesley Parnell — as well as Mayor Diane Therrien.
City police Insp. Neil Collins asked Leigh how she would offer safety (as opposed to exploitation) for attendants working in her business.
Leigh said attendants would be “independent contractors” who are “choosing to work” at her establishment: “The pay they make is separate — I’m not taking from them.”
Leigh added she would be hiring people age 25 or older to be attendants (though clients can be 18). She also spoke about how the place will have COVID-19 safety protocols, including Plexiglas barriers at the front desk, contact tracing and maskwearing.
Leigh has already applied for a rezoning and licensing. On Wednesday, city planner Caroline Kimble said it’s still unclear when the application might come before city councillors.
Leigh said she plans to renovate the building inside and out; on her website she states that she’s planning to spend about $200,000 on renovations.
She also said she plans to hire between 35 and 40 people — attendants, but also other job positions too such as manager, receptionists and laundry staff.
Leigh plans to open The Kingsway Spa seven days a week from 10 a.m. to about 11 p.m. or midnight, she said.
The Kingsway Spa’s website is at sigma12.com/.