Members of the council's licensing committee granted the shop, at 13 Queen Street – a former cake shop – in the town centre, a licence following a hearing on Thursday.

Andrew Berry, who applied for the licence, told the committee that he had two other shops, one in Preston and the other in Stockport.
He promised it would not be a "smutty shop" and said he would try to cater for all adults.

Mr Berry said one side of the shop would sell "lingerie and marital aids" and was intended to attract the couples market.

Videos
The other side of the shop would sell restricted 18 videos – hardcore pornography – which by law are only allowed to be sold in licensed sex shops.

He dismissed concerns about the outside appearance by saying the shop would be "well presented" with blinds in the window to prevent viewing the inside of the premises.

Signage would describe it as the 'Morecambe Adult Shop' and he said there would be "no advertising whatsoever" in the street windows.

But Barry Lewis, who lives on Morecambe Street, objected to the application and said he was concerned about the impact the shop would have on a residential area.

"Although Queen Street itself is largely just shops, 13 Queen Street is at the head of Morecambe Street which is residential," he told the committee.

"Any person on Morecambe Street stepping out of their door will be able to see this shop.

"A lot of money has been spent to regenerate the area and Morecambe Street is considered one of the more historic streets within the area.

"Poulton council have done a tourist map of the area highlighting some of the history – I'm not so sure they would want add a sex shop."

Mr Lewis added that he was also concerned that the licence application had not been widely circulated and the only advertisement in a newspaper was the Lancashire Evening Post rather than the Visitor.

After deliberating in private councillors said they had agreed the licence should be granted.