UK- BOSSES of a sex shop chain owned by American porn baron Larry Flynt want to open their first Scottish store in Glasgow.
Hustler Hollywood, which recently opened its first UK shop, is hunting premises for a £1million store in the city.Bosses hope the outlet will rival existing adult shop chain Ann Summers and spark “sex wars on the high street”.No site has yet been identified for the Glasgow store, which is planned to be one of 10 for Hustler Hollywood in the UK.
However, bosses today confirmed they were looking for a large store in Buchanan Street, Argyle Street or in the Buchanan Galleries.
Hustler Hollywood describes its shops as “conceptual erotica department stores” and they sell sex toys, lingerie and Hustler-branded T-shirts.
However, Mr Flynt’s controversial reputation is likely to spark a storm amongst anti-sleaze campaigners, who have objected to sex shop bids.
Jim Coleman, deputy leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “It is fair to say Glasgow has so far managed to keep these shops to a minimum.”
Hustler Hollywood bosses insisted no hardcore pornography would be on sale so the shop would not need to apply to the council for a special sex shop licence.
Gordon Bell of Hustler Hollywood said the company had intended opening in the former Clydesdale Bank premises beside the St Enoch Subway station, but a deal fell through.
He added: “We are still looking, but it will depend on finding premises on the right street.
“For the size of shop we are looking at we could easily spend about £1million.
The ideal position would be to open before Valentines’ Day.”
Existing company outlets around the world are decked in velvet and leopard skin print, with the adult material displayed in walk-in cubicles, hidden from the view of the passing public.
Shops also sell body oils, scented candles, novelties for hen and stag nights, books and jewellery.
The store concept is the idea of Theresa Flynt-Gaerke, daughter of Mr Flynt, who founded Hustler magazine and Larry Flynt Publishing.
Mr Flynt is notorious in America for the hardcore content of his magazines.
A number of successful legal battles he fought over the right to free speech were documented in the 1996 film The People vs Larry Flynt.
Ms Flynt-Gaerke insisted the Glasgow store would not be seedy.
She said: “The target audience we are looking at is couples aged 19-26.”
Mr Coleman said: “If it is a sex shop and the majority of products are of a sexual nature the company will need to apply to the council for a licence. In the past that has not been supported by the people of Glasgow.
“If it is an Ann Summers-type operation, we have one of those in Sauchiehall Street so it would not need a licence.”