SEX shops say business is booming as people make the most of compulsory time at home.

Store owners think Brighton residents are taking advantage of the coronavirus home to explore their experimental side.

And they are selling a lot more rechargeable sex toys than battery operated versions.

“I’ve noticed a lot more rechargeable toys because people don’t want to go out and buy batteries,” said Calandra Balfour, 40, from Lust sex shop in Brighton.

“They can’t go out and get batteries in the middle of the night when it goes or whatever.”

The Argus:

Lust is one of a chain of family owned and run sex shops in Brighton.

Calandra’s husband Tim Richardson, 58, said the firm had spotted a few changes since lockdown began.

“We’ve noticed people are buying more unusual things,” he said.

“People seem to be much more interested in trying something new.”

The family’s shops were featured in a Channel Four documentary last year.

Now they are busy keeping up with demand.

The Argus:

“There’s a lot more kink,” Calandra said. “It’s great.

“You’ll have a normal order and then there’s one thing in there that will tell a bit of a story.

“I’ve just noticed there will be the usual thing, then there’s something on the whackier end of sexual taste on there.

“Like someone’s just gone ‘shall we try that as well?’.

“Something a bit more experimental, I’ve definitely noticed that.”

The Argus:

Lockdown has definitely brought out the more adventurous side in their customers, according to Tim.

He said: “They’re probably getting bored with regular sex so they’re now looking at experimenting more.

“That’s something that the lockdown has really opened up for us,” he said.

While the shops have to be closed during lockdown, deliveries can continue.

And though Calandra said she misses the personal touch since the shops have been shut and takings are down, the online business is more active than ever.

Tim has taken charge of local deliveries.

The Argus:

He said: “We are receiving a lot of online orders from our regular customers.

“Sometimes we can get it to them within an hour or two, even faster than Amazon.”

He has to take precautions on his rounds.

“I leave the box on their doorstep so it’s non contact delivery,” he said.

“I stay to make sure they’ve got it.”

The Argus:

• At The Argus, we are championing the work of traders during the coronavirus pandemic as part of our #BackingSussexBusiness campaign. We are always interested to hear how the community is coming together in this crisis. If you know of a local business battling to do all it can in these tough times and/or offering support to the local community, please get in touch at laurie.churchman@theargus.co.uk and rose.lock@theargus.co.uk.