Fears raised over Great Yarmouth's dwindling sex shop trade

The Private Shop (also known as OMG Adult World) on Howard Street North sold for £41,000 at auction last week after being in the town since the early 1980s. 

The Private Shop on Howard Street North sold for £41,000 with Auction House East Anglia. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)The sale comes two years after the closure of its sister shop in Norwich, marking the national company's exit from the county despite reports of growing trade in towns such as Grimsby.

Sex toy and lingerie shop Midnight Lady has also been impacted following its move from The Conge to make way for the ongoing North Quay Redevelopment.

The former Midnight Lady shop on The Conge. Picture - Google (Image: Google)The former Midnight Lady store, which had been based near the town centre for more than a decade, has now been reduced to rubble.

The former shop has now been demolished as redevelopment of the area will soon begin. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)The independent shop's new premises is on the other side of town on Battery Road. Nigel Bowerbank, who is the husband of owner Mars Joy, said the lack of traffic could cause the store to close for good.

"We're the last sex shop or business selling lingerie and stuff like that in Great Yarmouth now," Mr Bowerbank said. "We get customers - but it is very quiet in the town.

"It has dropped off a lot since we moved. What we get in a week now is the same as what we were getting a day when we were on The Conge."

Midnight Lady's new premises on Battery Road. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)Since relocating last April, Mr Bowerbank said trade has picked up "somewhat" as the business aims to re-establish itself in its new location.

"But I'm not sure about our future," he added. "I worry it could be the end of it. 

"That will be all of us gone then. 

"People will have to go to Norwich and that is sad for both local traders and customers."

Buildings on the northside of The Conge have been demolished to make way for the redevelopment of the North Quay. Picture - James Weeds (Image: James Weeds)