A planned sex shop could damage the image of William Shakespeare’s home town, the mayor has said.

Romeo and Juliet’s Adult Boutique is due to open in the centre of Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwickshire, on Friday after it was given planning permission.

Mayor Jenny Fradgley said: “It can’t be good for the image Stratford is trying to promote for itself.”

But the shop owner Katie Gilbert [pictured] said the Bard’s plays had many sexual references and “he would be proud”.

Ms Fradgley feels the shop could lower the tone and was not in line with the World Class Stratford initiative which aimed to transform the town.

She added it was also near a bus stop used by schoolchildren.

Katie Gilbert
Shop owner Katie Gilbert said it would be fun and tasteful

She said: “A lot of children queue up here to catch the buses at 4 O’ Clock in the afternoon.

“This is just a mass of kids. It just doesn’t seem the right place for it.”

However, Ms Gilbert said the shop would be in good taste.

“I think Shakespeare would be proud of what were are trying to do here because in a lot of his plays there’s sexual content.

“I think this is exactly what this town needs and this is going to be bright and fun.”