Ann Summers

What lovely and helpful staff! x

I don’t have an encyclopedic knowledge of sex toys, or sex shops, but curiosity always gets the better of me, which is how I found myself in Ann Summers the other day.
I once went to a female-​centric sex shop in Brighton, and really enjoyed myself (not like that!). It was sweet and quite sophisticated, so I was hoping for the same thing with Ann Summers, and was a little disappointed. I guess the Ann Summers chain should be given kudos for helping to turn an industry around which was only serviced by dirty old men in macs, and giving women a chance to participate. Unfortunately, it seems to have been left behind a bit. While newer adult shops have raised the bar, Ann Summers still seems to think that trashy lingerie and glow willy sticks are what constitutes a sexy shopping spree.
The store in Kingston is laid out so that the first part is underwear, with the toys at the back. Apart from myself, there was a nice cross section of customers; stylishly dressed middle age women, and two twenty something girls. It was nice to see that this is not considered a strange choice of shop to visit on a Monday afternoon. The staff were all incredibly helpful, and most importantly, seemed entirely unfazed by whatever your request may be. (within reason)
However, I doubt I would buy much from here. There is still an element of wink wink nudge nudge to what’s on sale, so unless I was planning a spectacularly trashy hen or stag night, I think I will head to Coco De Mer.