Staff at B&Q stores have reportedly been told to prepare for a massive rise in demand for rope, cable ties and tape ahead of the release of Fifty Shades Of Grey at the cinema this weekend.
A leaked memo reportedly reveals that workers at the DIY chain have been asked to prepare themselves for "sensitive" customer questions about such products, which could be used in sexual role play.
The memo, circulated to the DIY store's entire 20,887 workforce at 359 stores - including Grimsby - is titled: "Staff Briefing – Preparation for Fifty Shades Of Grey Customer Queries".
It has also suggested that staff who have not read the erotic novel should do so with copies will be delivered to stores and loaned to staff on a one-week basis.
Staff are urged to familiarise themselves with the book and to deal with any related queries in a "polite, helpful and respectful manner".
The Fifty Shades Of Grey film adaptation of the book is released this weekend - with tickets selling fast at the Parkway Cinerma in Cleethorpes, and sold out for some shows.
The novel, by EL James, follows the relationship between college graduate Anastasia Steele, played by Dakota Johnson, 25, and businessman Christian Grey, played by Northern Irish actor Jamie Dornan, 32.
Grey introduces Steele to the world of bondage and dominant sexual role play and both the book and the film include a scene in which he visits a hardware store to purchase rope, cable ties and tape.
The memo reads: "We stock many of the products featured in this notable scene and then used later in the film.
"When the book was released in 2012 DIY and hardware stores in the UK and US reported increased demand of certain products and queries from customers as they tried to recreate their own "Fifty Shades" experiences.
Have you read Fifty Shades Of Grey? Will you be heading to the cinema to see it?
