Brighton is in danger of becoming a "mini-Soho" according to campaigners furious at a decision to license the city's second sex shop.
City councillors voted against their own guidelines to license the exotic store in Surrey Street, near the railway station.
It is less than a mile from the centre's other outlet in St James's Street. Council policy says there should not be two sex shops within a two-mile radius.
Green councillors say the decision paves the way for other applications which could transform the centre into a sex shop strip.
The decision was made on a split vote by Brighton and Hove licensing committee.
Green councillor Simon Williams said: "The decision will be greeted with dismay by people who live in the station area.
"It's absolutely unacceptable for the council to ignore its own licensing guidelines as and when it suits it."
Now Greens will see if the decision can be reviewed.
Labour councillor Don Turner, who chairs the committee, was not available for comment.
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