A Hitchin sex shop is gearing up for extra trade – after today’s film release of 50 Shades of Grey.

Sexy superstore chain Pulse and Cocktails, which have a premises in Wilbury Way, is preparing for an influx of orders for ‘specialist’ items.

Store manager John Barker told the Comet: “We’re expecting a rush to coincide with the film version of the book. We’re certainly expecting an increase in customers purchasing handcuffs.

“We have a selection of aesthetically pleasing handcuffs including, leather, and fur lined ones – but obviously not real fur as that would be wrong.

“Our ankle cuffs, whips and eye masks are flying off the shelves at the moment too. To be fair they are the easiest sales in the world at the moment. “We pride ourselves on offering a smorgasbord of different sex toys, and are expecting interest to stiffen once the film has been released.

“We also do rabbit and bunny style vibrators. Ever since the rabbit style ones were mentioned in Sex and the City they have literally flown off the shelves.

“Thanks to the ‘50 Shades’ effect we are also selling more BDSM items than ever before. If you haven’t tried it, BDSM stands for Bondage, Discipline, and Sado Masochism.

“I don’t know if it’s the Valentine’s Day air, or whether it’s something they put in the water here – but people in Hitchin do seem very randy!

“I can confirm bondage items, lingerie and strawberry flavoured lube have been the most popular gifts at our Hitchin store today.

“We invite the Comet, and everyone in Hitchin, to come down and try out some – or all – of our high quality items.”

A spokeswoman for Pulse and Cocktails’ head office added: “We have a group of 10 female staff from our head office all going to watch the film tonight, dressed in matching grey ties and they say they are all going to be handcuffed together in a long line.

“We just hope one of the more sensible ones is in charge of the keys!”

The film, based on the novel by EL James, has been described as ‘mummy-porn romance’ which details an affair between student Anastasia Steele and billionaire Christian Grey.

Firefighters in London have already said they are ‘concerned’ the film’s release could see a ‘spike’ in people being trapped in handcuffs or genital rings, and have urged people to ‘use common sense’ when engaging in such activities.

However, the Hertfordshire Fire and Rescue Service has been a little more circumspect in their advice to punters with a spokesman telling the Comet: “We deal with many incidents on a regular basis threatening the safety of people living and travelling through Hertfordshire.

“Anyone needing assistance should contact the emergency services in the normal way and the appropriate level of help will be provided.”