Landlords’ fear is stopping sex shop dream - Cwmbran couple (From Free Press Series)

Landlords’ fear is stopping sex shop dream - Cwmbran couple

1:40pm Friday 30th July 2010

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AN UNEMPLOYED Cwmbran couple want to open Torfaen’s first sex shop - but say the fear of the community’s reaction is stopping landlords from letting to them.

Partners Amanda and Sian Brooks, of West Pontnewydd, came up with the idea of opening a sex shop 18 months ago and have consulted Torfaen Borough Council about their proposals.

But without the money to be able to buy their own shop outright, the couple have had difficulty in finding a landlord who will let them rent a property.

The couple, who entered a civil partnership nearly three years ago after meeting on the internet, looked at empty shops in Pontnewydd and Springvale but said landlords pulled out afraid of the possible backlash from the community.

"If it was a card shop we wanted to open, I think we’d get somewhere straight away." Sian said.

The partners say they want to get away from the seedy stereotype of sex shops.

“We don’t want to open anything seedy or demoralising to the community. We don’t want to offend anyone and want a reputation of being the best,” Amanda said.

The couple ruled out properties too close to schools, churches and elderly complexes.

They have carried out research and say they have collected around 100 signatures from people who said they would not object to a sex shop opening in Cwmbran.

They have also secured a bank loan and Amanda has created a detailed 22-page business plan for the shop.

They say the shop, which would be called “Venus Smiling”, would abide by the licensing rules including having a strict over 18s policy.

The couple want sell but not rent DVDs, sell lingerie for all sizes, and offer information on sexual health.

"Working for ourselves would be the best option. With our own shop, we could help each other," Sian said.

Amanda added: "We just want to be self-sufficient, get back to work and earn our own living."

Anyone who can help the couple find somewhere suitable should add their comments to the Venus Smiling group on Facebook or email venussmiling@live.co.uk

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