Village protest at sex shop plans near Sawtry

About 300 people have attended a protest meeting over plans for a sex shop on the outskirts of a village in Cambridgeshire.

The company Pulse and Cocktails wants to convert a former Little Chef restaurant off the A1(M) into one of a network of 23 "sexy superstores".

It says it will transform the derelict site near Sawtry into a retail store employing five people.

Protesters are opposing a licensing application to Huntingdonshire Council.

The meeting was held at Sawtry Community College on Wednesday night.

Protesters said a sex shop would degrade the character of Sawtry because local people would no longer be comfortable using this area.

Job applications

Allan and Pauline Bamford, who live nearby, said: "There are five businesses listed as 'sex shops' at Peterborough, eight miles away, and a further eight within 40 minutes drive, including two already on the A1(M).

"There is also an Ann Summers shop at Peterborough and a further four within 30 miles of Sawtry."

A spokeswoman for Pulse and Cocktails said: "Our target customers are couples and our stores are specially designed to create a modern, spacious and female friendly atmosphere for couples to shop together.

"We have actually already been contacted by a few people asking when they can apply for a job."