U.K. Sex Shop Wins Battle to Open

A battle between residents and a local sex shop has ended in victory for Adult World Ltd., as the adult chain has been given permission to open a store yards from Islington's new war memorial.

According to a recent report in the Islington Gazette, the licensing board at Islington Council approved an application from Adult World at a meeting on Tuesday. The company currently operates five licensed sex shops in the United Kingdom.

Some conservative residents objected to the close proximity of the store to the war memorial, telling the Gazette that they felt, "the location of the shop is wholly unsuitable for the proposed business," also citing what they felt was a high percentage of children in the area.

A gay adult chain, Clone Zone, opened at the same location in 2004, sparking controversy as well. According to the report, Clone Zone sold adult material only in the basement, but it is not yet clear what the ground floor of the premises will be used for now.

Board member Martin Klute, who objected to the application, told the Gazette that he didn't feel it was "the sort of place for a shop like that.

"The shop that was there before was very discreet about what they were up to. I have [had] a look at this company's website and they do appear to be very crude…and that worries me."