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>Title: Drop-in centre plan causes unholy row in >Jewellery Quarter >Website: birminghammail.net >Date: 22/09/2011 >Link : <a rel=nofollow target=_blank >href="http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/20 >11/09/22/drop-in-centre-plan-causes-unholy-row-in-jewel >lery-quarter-97319-29464619/">Drop-in centre plan >causes unholy row in Jewellery Quarter</a> > ><b>Drop-in centre plan causes unholy row in Jewellery >Quarter</b> > >BUSINESS leaders fear traders will quit Birmingham’s >Jewellery Quarter if a controversial church group >which has been branded a cult sets up a base in the >area. > >The Mail revealed last month that the Jesus Army >wanted to redevelop a former office block in Lionel >Street with plans for a worship centre, cafe and a >walk-in facility for prostitutes, drug addicts, the >homeless and asylum seekers. > >The move has infuriated companies based in the >Quarter, which houses some of the city’s top bars and >restaurants and is in the running to be named a UNESCO >world heritage site. > >And officials working to boost the area said they had >been told several firms would quit the area if the >scheme, which is currently on hold, went ahead. > >Chris Booth, chairman of the Jewellery Quarter >Association Heritage and Regeneration group, said: “I >have already discussed with at least a dozen business >owners who have commented that they will vacate the >immediate area if planning consent is granted. This >area will be blighted.” > >It was thought the Jesus Army Charitable Trust, which >is part of a group with assets of more than £14 >million and an annual turnover in excess of £20 >million, paid just under £1 million for the office >building. Army members stage high-profile recruitment >campaigns in public places. > >Birmingham’s busy Broad Street entertainment district >is regularly targeted by members keen to increase the >group’s presence in the city. > >But there have been allegations the Jesus Army >operates as a cult. It has been criticised by former >members and other church groups for its >“authoritarian-style” amid claims members were put >under pressure to commit to life-long celibacy and >hand over their material possessions. > >Ian Howarth, director of the Cult Information Centre, >a charity providing advice about cults, said he was >concerned about the activities of the Jesus Army. > >“They have done nothing recently to change my mind,” >he said. “I have great sympathy with the businessmen >whose premises will be near to the centre.” > >* JESUS Army spokesman John Campbell denied the >organisation was a cult and said Birmingham should >welcome its plans. > >He said: “Being labelled as a cult is a serious >allegation. We are a Christian Church and are >recognised by other church leaders. People are free to >come and go of their own free will and we seek to do >good in the community.” > >He did not deny some of the group’s members chose a >celibate lifestyle or handed over all their cash and >possessions. > >“That is an option that exists in many religious >groups,” he said. > >Mr Campbell forecast that fellow residents and >businesses in the area would welcome the Jesus Army. > >He said: “There is a lot of ignorance about the Jesus >Army and, when we are up and running, people will be >very happy.” > >He said a similar project in Coventry had been praised >by police. > >Read More <a rel=nofollow target=_blank >href="http://www.birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/20 >11/09/22/drop-in-centre-plan-causes-unholy-row-in-jewel >lery-quarter-97319-29464619/#ixzz1YgGRdVI7">http://www. >birminghammail.net/news/top-stories/2011/09/22/drop-in- >centre-plan-causes-unholy-row-in-jewellery-quarter-9731 >9-29464619/#ixzz1YgGRdVI7</a>
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