A business along High St. in downtown Ladysmith recently had its licence revoked after an investigation found numerous violations, with allegations it was being used for sexual services. (Town of Ladysmith)

By Jordan Davidson

licence pulled

Ladysmith spa allegedly offering sexual services has business licence revoked

Feb 19, 2025 | 4:34 PM

LADYSMITH — A business in Ladysmith had its business licence cancelled after accusations it was being used in the sex trade.

Natural Massage Spa, located at 16 High St., received a business licence last November, but only a month later, Ladysmith RCMP and bylaw enforcement began receiving reports it was allegedly being used for sexual services and opened an investigation.

Natural Massage Spa received a business licence on Nov. 7, with the business described as a “Health Beauty Spa, offer Acupuncture, cupping, Massage services”, located on the ground floor of the building with a pair of residential units above it with separate owners.

A condition of the licence was no alterations were to be made to the building, and business licences are not transferable to any other persons.

In December, Ladysmith RCMP and Bylaw services received complaints the business was being used in the sex trade.

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While the provision of sexual services for money is not a contravention of the Criminal Code of Canada, other aspects of the sex trade are illegal, such as obtaining material benefiting from them and advertising sexual services.

No massage tables or equipment to perform acupuncture or cupping were located at the High St. location. (Town of Ladysmith)

Town staff along with RCMP visited the business on Jan 20 to investigate and were greeted by a single female employee wearing lingerie, who was not the licence holder.

A number of renovations were observed inside, including a shower, a sink, a washing machine, and sump pump, all installed without a valid building permit or proper ventilation.

The Town also had no indication the water lines serving the new appliances were installed by a licenced plumber, which could cause possible issues with the water potability and potentially impact the two unrelated residential units upstairs.

The layout of the building did not appear consistent with a health or beauty spa, including makeshift beds installed with few privacy features, dim lighting, and the only massage supplies on-site appeared to be two robes, toilet paper, and two unmarked containers with the contents unknown.

Following the inspection, the licence holder made contact with the Town and informed them she had subleased the location to someone else, which is not permitted.

Their investigation also uncovered an online advertisement published on the free classified site LeoList, offering sexually suggestive services with suggestive pictures and wording including a photo of the 16 High St. building.

A screenshot of the advertisement on LeoList with exterior pictures of the Natural Massage Spa in Ladysmith, with other photos featuring women in sexually suggestive poses and interior photos of the business. (Town of Ladysmith)

The business licence was formally revoked during the Tuesday, Feb. 18 council meeting through a unanimous vote, with the business licence holder not present, declining a chance to address council during the meeting.

The licence holder did speak with the Town prior to the Tuesday’s meeting and agreed with its cancellation.

In its report, the Town said the building being altered in an unapproved manner, the transferring of the licence to another person, and suggestions the building was not being used for the stated purpose on the original application all factored into the business license cancellation.

The cancellation was effective immediately.

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