Scandals wants to continue bringing its “supportive expert advice” to the town
Scandals Adult store in Bootle run by Catherine Kershaw and Ben Hughes(Image: Liverpool Echo)
A family-run sex shop is bidding to stay open in Bootle and continue to provide adult products in north Liverpool. ‘Scandals’ was first granted a licence for its Derby Road store back in May 2013, when the owners declared their ambition to dispel ‘preconceived notions’ of sex shops.
Since then, the brand has gone from strength-to-strength and now has shops open in Birkenhead and Liverpool city centre. On its website, the company shapes out its mission statement and promises ‘no awkwardness, no judgement, just supportive expert advice’.
The statement adds: “Scandals was created to make adult products more accessible, inclusive, and free from stigma. From day one, our mission has been to challenge taboos and help people embrace their sexuality with confidence.
“Fast-forward to today, and Scandals proudly stands as the UK’s premier destination for luxurious lingerie and safe, affordable adult products – built on trust, discretion, and award-winning personal service.”
As part of the licensing legislation for sex shops, Scandals must seek to renew its license every 12 months. This is detailed in the ‘Sex Establishments (shops)’ section of Sefton Council’s online licensing portal.
Scandals Adult store in Bootle run by Catherine Kershaw and Ben Hughes(Image: Liverpool Echo)
The guidance states: “Any person wishing to run either a Sex Shop require a Licence to do so from us under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
“There is a 21 day advertisement requirement, following which we aim to complete this type of application within 28 days.”
A sex shop is defined by Sefton Council as ‘any premises, vehicle, vessel or stall used for a business which consists to a significant degree of selling, hiring, exchanging, lending, displaying or demonstrating sex articles or other things intended for use in connection with or for stimulating or encouraging sexual activity or acts of force or restraint which are associated with sexual activity.’
The application by Scandals, owned and operated by Ben Hughes and Catherine Kershaw, does not seek to make any changes to its current agreement with Sefton Council – namely to open from 9am to 8pm Monday to Saturday and from 10am to 6pm on Sundays and Bank Holidays.
The advertisement requirement has been met by Scandals and its license application is available to view on the public notices portal.
The application states: “Notice if hereby given that MF Trading Ltd of Faversham House, Old Hall Rd, Bromborough, Wirral, CH62 3NX applied on 30.07.2025 to Sefton Metropolitan Borough Council in respect of the premises to be known as Scandals Adult World of 304 Derby Road, Bootle, L20 8LN.
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