The BBFC agreed in the summer to liberalise its R18 porn video classification to allow more explicit scenes, though child pornography and bestiality remain outlawed. If we had more licensed sex shops there would be less illicit trade of really hardcore material, whether in shops or mail order, and fewer under-18s getting such material under the counter , said Whittam Smith. The BBFC president also said he believed it was wrong that local councils made it difficult for sex shops to gain licences by charging large annual fees. Westminster council, responsible for Soho, charges more than 20,000. This does not happen to shoe shops, he said.
Most local authorities are resistant.
He's completely wrong , said John Beyer, director of the National Viewers and Listeners Association. The more outlets, the more accessible this stuff becomes . Even liberal councils, such as Brighton, were doubtful. The town has one licensed sex shop. Not everyone wants a sex shop round the corner , the council said.