Sex Establishments are required to be licensed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
A sex establishment can either be a Sex Shop or a Sexual Entertainment Venue or a Sex Cinema.
A sex shop is a premises used for business which consists to a significant degree of selling sex articles.
A sex cinema is any premises used to a significant degree for showing of films which are concerned primarily with, or relate to, or are intended to stimulate sexual activity.
A “Sexual Entertainment Venue” includes the following forms of entertainment as they are commonly understood:
- Lap dancing
- Pole dancing
- Table dancing
- Strip shows
- Peep shows
- Live sex shows
There is an exemption for premises which provide such entertainment less frequently than once a month.
Further guidance for applicants and interested parties about Sexual Entertainment Venues can be found in the Home Office Guidance.
The law defines the way in which an application is made, which include advertising notice of the application in the local press and displaying a notice outside the premises for a specific time period to give passers by the opportunity to comment by a statutory closing date.
When considering an application for a sex establishment licence the Council may only use the following criteria:-
- The suitability of the applicant;
- Whether the person applying is a "front" person for someone else;
- The location and suitability of the premises;
- Whether the number of sex establisments in that locality is equal to, or exceeds the number which the Council considers appropriate for the area.
How to apply for a licence
An application form for either a sex shop or a sexual entertainment venue or a sexshop-cinema can be downloaded from the foot of this page.
To apply Online please use the Service Request Form link below and have the relevant information / payment details ready.
Please note that the application must be accompanied by the following;
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The annual licence fee of £3964.00 (April 2012 - March 2013)
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Scale plans of the premises in respect of which the licence is sought showing (inter alia) all means of ingress and egress to and from the premises, parts used in common with any other buildings, details of how the premises lie in relation to the street. The front elevation of the building.
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A copy of the notice of the application which has been published in accordance with paragraph 10(8) of Schedule 3 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as per sample attached).
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Evidence of due service of the Notice of Application upon the Chief Officer of Police as required by paragraph 10(14) of Schedule 3 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
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The completed pink (Certified Copy) Notice attached as evidence that Notice of Application has been displayed on or near the premises as required by paragraph 10(10) of Schedule 3 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
For more details about applying for a licence, changed circumstances of a licence, Regulation of licences or to discuss your application please contact the Licensing Office using the Contact Details box below.
What we do with your Personal Data
The information you provide to the Licensing department is processed in accordance with the requirements of the Data Protection Act 1998. Further information can be found here.
Contacting the Licensing Office
The office is open from 9.00am to 5.00pm daily. Applicants are seen by appointment only.
Disabled users of our service, please note that if possible could you contact us to make an appointment before visiting our offices, to enable us to meet your needs.
