Bristol’s two sex shops have their licenses renewed

Bristol’s two sex shops have renewed their licenses for another year. Councilors approved the applications for both Rudies in the Old Market and Simplypleasure.com in Bond Street in the city centre, following a pair of Town Hall hearings on Thursday 18 July.

It was the first time either had to apply for renewal following a change to the authority’s licensing policy for sex establishments in 2022, which now mandates it annually, with hotspots previously having continuous licences. There were no objections to the requests and no comment from the police.

Rudies sells “R18 films, books and magazines, marital aids, clothing and novelties”, while Simplypleasure.com offers “adult novelties, lingerie, R18 DVDs and clothes”, the licensing subcommittee heard. Owner Mark Mullens, 63, told the panel he had run Rudies in West Street since 2010 and there had been no complaints to the council.

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He said: “There have been no anti-social behavior issues with my shop. I get on very well with all the businesses there and the trade association is very happy for me to carry on.

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“I employ someone, so if the license was not granted there would be two unemployed. I offer a service to the public.

“Even though it’s not as good as it used to be because of the internet, I’m still making a living. I don’t know how long.”

Mr Mullens said he wanted to retire in a few years and hoped to hand over the premises to a colleague. “We’re making a living together and hopefully that will continue,” Mr Mullens said.

He said he has never had a problem with youths under 18 trying to enter the store. Simplypleasure.com store manager Steve Kay told the hearing that a significant proportion of customers are from the LGBTQ+ community.

He said: “Simply Pleasure has always prided itself on being a safe, judgement-free space for customers. Our primary function is to provide unbiased practical advice, delivered in a professional manner, about the products we sell that could impact on the well-being of customers.”

Council officers said they had never received any complaints about the location. Mr Kay said the store had a Challenge 25 policy in place to ensure no minors entered.

Simplypleasure.com, which has around 20 branches across the country, has been in business for ten years, but the shop has been a sex shop for much longer, including previously as Ann Summers. It is in the city center where council policy allows up to two sex shops, although this is the only one.

Two sex shops are also allowed in Old Market/West Street, but Rudies is a single adult-only retailer.