From www.tweednews.com.au- THE new owner of a Tweed Heads adult shop says it is time the industry takes out the sleaze and welcomes in the 21st century.

Nookie Borderline Adult Store in Bay Street is ditching the age-old perception of customers hiding under trench coats and opening up to every- one from married couples to grandmothers.

The new owner, who only wanted to be known as “Rick’, took over ownership of the store two weeks ago and has already begun turning the self-described “tacky” former shopfront.

“I think it will help people become more open of their sex life,” Rick said.

It will attract a different calibre of customers.

“If it becomes accepted, then sex won’t be such a taboo anymore.”

The store will be renamed the Nookie Borderline Adult Lifestyle Centre when renovations are completed in a month.

“A change from the old perception of adult stores is long overdue. This is the way things are going these days,” Rick said.

“I think this store will make a difference to the way people perceive adult shops.”

The upmarket adult shop will be the biggest of its kind for the Tweed and will be tailored to cater for all sexual life- styles.

Even the photos of women scantily dressed in lingerie plastered over the current store front will be replaced with only the lettering of the store’s new name.

“It’s tacky and shouldn’t have been allowed originally,” Rick said.

“I believe the local council had a problem with it before and I agree with them.”

Rick already owns other adult lifestyle centres in Sydney and Canberra and said they have been financially successful. He said it is time other adult stores caught up with the emerging trend.

“Anyone who doesn’t will become dinosaurs.”

The store’s change in direction comes less than a month after Tweed mayor Joan van Lieshout said while announcing the $14.35 million upgrade of Jack Evans Boat Harbour that Council would like to see less sex-oriented businesses in the area.

“We want to discourage it. We see those businesses moving away.

“It’s a natural progression,” Cr van Lieshout said.

She said Council would use as much sway as it has to move sex businesses to other sites, including industrial areas.

“They are in every city and we understand that, but we want to create an image of the shire that is innovative and eco-friendly; and the shire is the gateway.”

She said there is no room for brothels, adult stores and lap dance bars in the CBD.

Rick said it did not apply to his business because it is not facing the boat harbour.