KEY POINTS:
Dannevirke is the kind of town where it's hard to have secrets.
That's left locals predicting an escort agency promising a transgender prostitute will be a big flop.
Newcomer Teresa McGregor wants to open a gentlemen's club called Promiscuous Girlz in the old Public Trust Office on the main street.
Her business could open mid-August if she gets Tararua District Council approval.
But a local bar owner, who asked not to be named, believed McGregor had underestimated the local people.
"I honestly don't think Dannevirke people will use it," he said. "They will still go to Palmerston North."
The small farming town was founded in 1872 by 13 Danish and eight Norwegian families.
The Tararua District website says the pioneers cleared bush, built roads and helped build the railway.
As the land was cleared, farmland was developed, and Dannevirke became an important rural centre.
McGregor, a mother of two teenage boys, hopes to hire women, one man and one transgender prostitute to "not discriminate against anyone".
"From the feedback I get the people here in Dannevirke are using the services elsewhere.
"I think providing one in the town might save them a little bit of travel."
Tararua District Mayor Maureen Reynolds isn't overwhelmed by the brothel plans, but she accepted that council planners had to abide by "rules and regulations".
However, told about plans for transgender staff, Reynolds said the town wasn't "ready for that".
"It's a sad day when those sort of things come to a small town."
The owner of the real estate agency opposite the site was more excited about plans for a 24-hour McDonald's.
"It's obviously a very delicate issue but until we see what is going on there... we really don't know," said Craig Boyden. "I guess we have to let the lady have a period of operation."
Salvation Army soldier Anita Goode thought the establishment would "cheapen" Dannevirke.
"I am really worried what kind of people it will bring in to the town - drugs, perverts?"
New Zealand's last small-town brothel failed, despite much fanfare.
Canadian doctor Neil Benson closed his medical practice and set up a sex business called Whalers in Northland's Doubtless Bay. It lasted only five months.
McGregor may have more luck.
The Tararua website says Dannevirke, which retains many reminders of its Scandinavian heritage, "has become a popular stopping point for visitors" with accommodation "to suit all requirements".
It's likely the author was not expecting McGregor's plans when that was written.
