A CONTROVERSIAL sex shop, which caused uproar when it opened three years ago, is moving out of Bolton.

Temptations in Blackburn Road, Astley Bridge, has become the latest victim of the recession as bosses say the shop is not making enough money.

Nearby residents and businesses protested when the shop opened in 2006, and many of them signed a petition against it because they objected to a sex shop on a busy road near three schools.

Now owner Alan Brook, from Radcliffe, says he is sorry to leave after winning over many of the original objectors.

He said: “Most of the people who objected when we got our licence are now our good friends, so it’s a shame. They have realised that we just run a business, and we are not out to corrupt the people of Bolton.”

Mr Brook said there was not enough demand in Bolton to support the store.

He said: “We have got other shops around the North West, and they are doing fine, but the people of Bolton don’t seem to want us any more.”

There are nine other Temptations stores in the country, including branches in Bury, Manchester, Crewe and Halifax.

The Bolton shop employs two staff, and Mr Brook said he hoped to retain their services by moving them to another shop.

Cllr John Walsh, who opposed the shop when it opened, said: “It was the wrong shop in the wrong place for many reasons.

“I am very pleased that it’s not being re-licensed and I hope that it now has a more realistic retail use.”

Temptations will close in the third week of November.