Sex Establishment Licences

Sex establishments are required to be licensed with the Local Authority under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

A sex establishment means either a:

• sex shop - a premises used for business which consists to a significant degree of selling sex articles, or a
• sex cinema - any premises used to a significant degree to show films which are concerned primarily with, or relate to, or are intended to stimulate sexual activity
• sexual entertainment venue - a premises where a live display/performance of nudity takes place in front of a live audience for the financial gain of the organiser or the performer.

An application will involve:

• a notice advertising the application in the local press
• a notice displayed outside the premises for a specific time period to give the public the opportunity to object to the application
• copying the application to the Police.

Further information including application forms

• |Sex establishment licence application form
• |Sex establishment licensing policy
• |List of fees and how to pay
• Contact |Environmental Health & Licensing