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You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/jun/21/belgian-city-to-turn-abandoned-hangar-into-a-mega-brothel
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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
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| Belgian city to turn abandoned hangar into a 'mega-brothel' | Belgian city to turn abandoned hangar into a 'mega-brothel' |
| (25 days later) | |
| An abandoned hangar with protected architectural status is to be converted by the municipality of Ostend into a brothel to accommodate sex workers being moved out of the Belgian seaside town’s red-light district. | An abandoned hangar with protected architectural status is to be converted by the municipality of Ostend into a brothel to accommodate sex workers being moved out of the Belgian seaside town’s red-light district. |
| The so-called “mega brothel” – to be known as the Hangar d’amour – will be run by a company that already manages a 51-bedroom brothel in Antwerp, known as Villa Tinto. | The so-called “mega brothel” – to be known as the Hangar d’amour – will be run by a company that already manages a 51-bedroom brothel in Antwerp, known as Villa Tinto. |
| Ostend’s red-light district, Hazegras, will be cleared under the plan. The hanger will also accommodate a bar, brewery and plaza once the conversion is complete. | Ostend’s red-light district, Hazegras, will be cleared under the plan. The hanger will also accommodate a bar, brewery and plaza once the conversion is complete. |
| The plans have been described as “madness” by the non-profit group, Oostendse Oosteroever, which had been campaigning for the hangar to be turned into a museum to celebrate the town’s maritime past. | The plans have been described as “madness” by the non-profit group, Oostendse Oosteroever, which had been campaigning for the hangar to be turned into a museum to celebrate the town’s maritime past. |
| Prostitution is legal in Belgium and since 1995 the renting of premises for such purposes has been permitted. | Prostitution is legal in Belgium and since 1995 the renting of premises for such purposes has been permitted. |
| Let’s criminalise the men buying sex, and spare the women they exploit | Sophie Walker | Let’s criminalise the men buying sex, and spare the women they exploit | Sophie Walker |
| Around 26,000 women are believed to work in the sex industry in the country. The authorities estimate that 80% of them are victims of people trafficking or exploitation by organised crime gangs. | Around 26,000 women are believed to work in the sex industry in the country. The authorities estimate that 80% of them are victims of people trafficking or exploitation by organised crime gangs. |
| Ostend’s mayor, Johan Vande Lanotte, claimed the new arrangement would offer more security. | Ostend’s mayor, Johan Vande Lanotte, claimed the new arrangement would offer more security. |
| He said: “The ladies will enter into a rental contract directly with the owner, as a result of which intermediaries will be excluded. | He said: “The ladies will enter into a rental contract directly with the owner, as a result of which intermediaries will be excluded. |
| “The conditions will be better, and the sector will be purified. Abuses will be excluded or certainly limited. There will also be a health centre, an information desk and a room for the police.” | “The conditions will be better, and the sector will be purified. Abuses will be excluded or certainly limited. There will also be a health centre, an information desk and a room for the police.” |
| The hangar’s exterior cannot be changed under Belgian law but the developers with whom the municipality is working will have the freedom to renovate the interior. | The hangar’s exterior cannot be changed under Belgian law but the developers with whom the municipality is working will have the freedom to renovate the interior. |
| Belgium | Belgium |
| Sex trade | Sex trade |
| Prostitution | Prostitution |
| Europe | Europe |
| news | news |
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