A sex shop boss has cashed in on the frenzy whipped up by 50 Shades of Grey as customers look to add spice to their love lives.

Nicholas Wainwright, 49, who runs the Private Shop in Queen Street, Gravesend, has placed a sign in his shop window telling people bondage equipment used in the box office smash is available inside.

Fifty Shades is about the dysfunctional and sordid relationship between dominant businessman Christian Grey and submissive intern Anastasia Steele.

It was adapted from the erotic novel written by EL James and took £4.6million in its opening night alone - the highest ever box office taking for an 18 rated film.

Mr Wainwright, who has been running the Private Shop for 10 years, said bondage traditionally was not a big seller in Gravesend, but since the film’s release he had experienced a rise in profits.

He said: “We had the books come out first and that was about two years ago so we had a little bit of an increase in trade then, that was when we first put the sign out.

“Last Friday and Saturday I had my best weekend really.

“I think it was a combination of Valentine’s Day and 50 Shades of Grey being released.”

Mr Wainwright said that people were coming in to get “soft bondage” equipment, including things like handcuffs and door harnesses.

He said: “Our Brighton and Brewer Street store [in London] do better with bondage gear.

“But the film obviously created more of an interest. I think it is making bondage more mainstream and more acceptable. People are using it as an excuse to say ‘Oh well, we’ll have a little dabble’.”

Despite all the success of the books and film, Mr Wainwright said he was not getting tied up by all the hype.

He said “My wife has sort of said ‘should we go and see it?’, but it’s a busman’s holiday for me really, out of interest I may go and watch it.”