Make a date

JOANNE Beasant is leaving her full-time job as a receptionist at a Swindon doctor's surgery to become managing director of Moredon-based Elite Escorts.

And the bubbly 27-year-old blonde, who recently appeared on Channel 4's beauty documentary The Salon, is convinced she can make a success of her venture by appealing to honest business folk who just want an escort for an innocent evening of entertainment.

She said she could not believe a booming town such as Swindon with thousands of businesses did not already have an established escort agency such as the one she is planning and she is ready to corner the market.

Joanne said: "I started this agency because I think there's a need in Swindon and the surrounding area, and I couldn't believe there wasn't already one operating.

"I'm marketing it towards business people who want to go out for a meal, the theatre or just want to sit down with someone to have a chat.

"Everyone has heard about the seedy knocking shops and other things associated with escort agencies, but that is not what my business is about.

"This is a high-class escort agency. I have good, quality people on my books.

"All my escorts are different but they speak nicely, have great personalities and are very interesting."

Elite Escorts, which operates online www.eliteescortsltd.co.uk or by the phone, has around 20 escorts on its books, all of whom have been personally vetted by Joanne.

She is continuing to work part-time as a receptionist while she runs the business from home. Jo hopes to get permanent premises in the future.

Her mother Brenda Beasant, 54, is working as the agency's manager.

Those who want an escort for one or two hours, in the day or on an evening, can be matched up with those on the books, but are made aware of the agency's emphasis on purely platonic dates.

However, should the client and the escort want to take things further Joanne said she would turn a blind eye.

"Elite Escorts doesn't arrange for any sexual activity to take place. This is a matter purely for the client and the escort to agree the agency has no responsibility for this," she said.

"People will always think that a man and a woman escort can't innocently go out for an evening and he will always want to have sex.

"I'm never going to get around that.

"But there are hundreds of business people who come to Swindon and just sit in their hotel rooms when they really want to go out and have a good time.

"Rather than sitting in their hotel they can have someone show them around Swindon.

"There are so many lonely people around who don't necessarily want a full-time relationship and there are certainly people who are willing to pay money for a good looking man."

All clients have to sign a contract agreeing terms and conditions before meeting with their date.

The contract includes the prohibition of exchanging telephone numbers and also a ban on making arrangements to meet up, other than through the agency, for a period of 12-months following the date.

And the price range is certainly suited towards the business community.

Starting at £120 for an hour's company and going up to £1,000 for a day, the escorts do not come cheap.

But that is one of the reasons why those people whose intentions may be less than desirabl. may be deterred from making dates.

The escorts are paid around £60-an-hour for sitting and looking interested in what their dates have to say,

Their date pays for extras, like theatre tickets, dinner and drinks.

During interviews for potential escorts Joanne received applications from a plethora of men and women of all ages, including middle-aged women and a man in his 60s.

Joanne has come up against all sorts of problems in setting up her agency, but none more so than the business community at large.

She said: "As soon as I mention the words escort and agency it seems that no-one wants to know anymore.

I've had trouble with banks and businesses in trying to tell them that this is an honourable company when I've wanted to set up a credit card facility."

There are more than 30 Japanese and nearly 50 Euro-pean companies in Swindon, the majority of which send representatives to the town for long periods and it is this market that Elite Escorts is trying to capture.

Dennis Grant, chief executive of Swindon Chamber of Commerce, added: "It's a very difficult subject because I'm sure there are perfectly creditable escort agencies, but others where it's a bit easier to take things further.

"Swindon is a very attractive town for an escort agency to operate in and one where the business could be quite lucrative, but it's not without its concerns.

"The concept of paying to go out for dinner leads to question marks.

"However, there is a genuine need and I think it will do very well."

Elite Escorts can be contacted on Swindon 436234.

Case Study - Meet the escort

NAME: Chris Rees from Walcot.

AGE: 23, JOB: Postman

MARITAL STATUS: Single

Ive never done this before, but a friend of mine said I'd be good. I can't really see a problem with going out and chatting to women. I'm single and that's what I usually do on a Saturday night anyway.

I'm not worried at all. A lot of my friends will give me a ribbing when they find out, but most of them would do this if they had the chance the trouble is most of them are married or going out with someone so they can't.

"I've talked to my family about it and I've got their backing and I would probably do this for free anyway. The thing I'm going to find most weird is letting women buy all the drinks, because I usually do that when I'm on a date.

Case Study - Meet the escort

NAME: Jessica Tamworth from Shaw.

AGE: 25, JOB: Office manager

MARITAL STATUS: Single

I found out about the agency through mutual friends and it means going out with a few men, being taken to nice places, generally being spoilt and getting a little bit of extra cash. I'm a relatively outgoing person and really people are just paying for my time to sit and talk to them.

I'm definitely not interested in sex and I don't doubt that propositions will happen, but I'm selling my time and that doesn't necessarily mean I have to sell my body.

I have plenty of dates, but I'm not looking for a serious relationship with anyone at the moment. I'm a good listener and can be a shoulder to cry on.