RUMOURS that a sex shop or shop selling sex aids among other goods is to open amongst restaurants and antique shops in a Richmond parade are being investigated by the council this week after much concern was expressed by residents and traders.

Until the end of May, 111 Kew Road was the fireplace shop Flambeau, but is currently being re-fitted.

One factor aggravating the rumours is the fact that the work has been arranged in such a way as to prevent the public from seeing inside.

Maeve Speers, owner of the ‘109’ restaurant, said she ‘almost died’ when she heard a sex shop might be opening up next door.

She said: "I am absolutely appalled that they could set up such an establishment in Kew Road when we have spent five years building up a good reputation. I am shocked that the council would let this happen. Our rates here in Kew Road are huge and to have something like that next to us here... If it was something like Ann Summers, that we could cope with, but it is the way it has been done so that we cannot even see in."

A mother of two small children, who lives in the parade and did not wish to be named, said: "Apparently, a business is moving in which sell things like power tools and cod liver oil tablets interspersed with porno-graphy so that they don’t need a licence.

"This is not the sort of thing we want in such an area in between all these nice restaurants. Everyone I have spoken to about it has been shocked. The shop is almost fitted out so it will probably be opening soon."

She said the glass front has a wall behind it which makes it impossible to see directly into the shop: "This made me suspicious , everyone I have mentioned it to has been shocked and has said ‘oh no, you’re joking’ or ‘that won’t do well in this area’."

She said she is hoping to sell the house soon and having this as a neighbour is bound to bring the value down.

Gail Hurley, owner of The Richmond Salon, said: "They they have created two recessed window display areas, but they have made it so that you can’t see into the shop. When I heard it was going to be an Ann Summers, I thought it would look like the one in Kingston, which just looks like an underwear shop and doesn’t look at all offensive. Now I am not happy, I just think this is going to create a nasty element."

A spokesman for Richmond upon Thames Council said: "Licensing officers visited the premises in Kew Road today as part of their investigation into claims that a sex shop is proposed.

"The premises were closed. However, officers will continue to make thorough enquiries into this matter before deciding what action to take.

"The council does have powers with regard to the licensing of sex shops if they fall within the terms of the legislation. However, the last two notifications received by the authority regarding the opening up of sex shops turned out to be hoaxes."