City adult shop closes doors after 40 years
FOR 40 years sex shop Colin’s Books has sold porn and sex toys to its frisky customers.
It has become a familiar sight in Cardiff, with passers-by posing for pictures outside on rugby international days.
But the store shut its doors for good yesterday, as the businessmen behind the venture decided to retire.
Colin’s business partner Anthony said: “I’m feeling happy I’m retiring.
“What will I do when I retire? Well, what do people do when they retire?
“I’ve booked some time in Tenerife but that’s about it.
“I’m just going to take it easy for a bit and if I get bored I shall go to Sainsbury’s and push the trolleys around.
“Something like that, why not? Yes, I’m looking forward to it.”
The shelves once packed with magazines with titles like “Thrust!”, “Consent” and “Taboo” were now half empty.
A TV showed an image from a security camera positioned in the entrance of the store.
Vibrators and sex dolls still graced the shelves.
A sign in red felt tip told punters “All DVDs £5 cash only”.
“It used to be a little backstreet here but it is all built up now and the rents are going up and the rates are going g up and we don’t want to get in a difficult position,” Anthony, 73, , said.
“It’s time to get out, it’s not like itt used to be, with the internet.
“That has affected us greatly. y. We’ve coped all right but it is not as good as it used to be.
“That has played a part in ourur wanting to close up.”
The decision to close came a couple of months ago after the pairir decided they had had enough. TheTh licence was due to run out anyway.
The shop opened 40 years ago in Wyndham Arcade and later moved to Caroline Street. The business has been on both sides of the road.
Now it is at number 33. It’s painted blue with a yellow border around the window.
Until yesterday, the wording “Adult shop” could be seen written in red on the glass. Beneath in blue it said “Adult material only fully licensed”.
A green neon sign flashed to let people know it was open.
But yesterday the window was boarded up. “I don’t think I’ll miss anything” Anthony said. “I’m just looking forward to retirement.”