Plans to open an adult-themed shop close in Shakespeare’s home town of Stratford-upon-Avon has got public figures hot under the collar.
Birmingham businesswoman Katie Gilbert says Romeo & Juliet’s Adult Boutique will be a tasteful addition to the Warwickshire town’s shopping streets when it opens on Friday to sell sex toys, movies and lingerie.
But Stratford’s new mayor said it could wreck the town’s quaint image and put off tourists who flock to the playwright’s home.
And a vicar has claimed the “seedy” shop is inappropriate next to a bus stop used by schoolchildren.
The store will not have a full sex shop licence which means it cannot sell hardcore videos.
Ms GIlbert, a 33-year-old mother, said her new venture would honour the Bard by selling sweets in the shape of Romeo and Juliet having sex and in racy jesters’ costumes.
“I’ve been a bit surprised at the reaction by one or two people,” she said.
“They ought to come down and have a look so that they can make up their minds for themselves.
“If you look at Shakespeare’s plays they were all about sex so I think he would have approved of the shop.”
Ms Gilbert, originally from Stechford, already runs a sex shop called Adam and Eve in Evesham which she says has helped to improve sexual health in the town.
“The mayor of Evesham came to open our shop and there have never been any problems,” said Ms Gilbert.
“We have worked very hard with the NHS to promote sexual health.
“Because we don’t have a full sex shop licence for the premises in Stratford, only a limited proportion of our business can come from the sale of DVDs and toys.
“A lot of it will focus on lingerie and items for stag and hen parties.”
The shop is due to open this Friday at the former Taste of Home Polish produce shop in Rother Street.
Stratford is already home to a lapdancing club where girls perform fully nude.
The Rev Martin Gorick, vicar of Holy Trinity Church where Shakespeare is buried, said: “It depresses me that something so seedy will be in such a prominent position.
“It’s a degradation of the environment. It’s a very prominent shop in a family area where schoolkids congregate.”
Stratford’s new mayor, Jenny Fradgley, said the shop did not fit in with the image of world class Stratford
“I think it’s very concerning at a time of economic concern that we are now looking at a sex shop coming to Stratford,” she said.
“It’s not the image people want for Stratford.”
But the Shakespeare Birthplace Trust seemed less concerned.
A spokeswoman said: “We don’t have a problem with it as such.
“Many retailers and restaurants use names associated with Shakespeare. It is no surprise this shop does the same.”
