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Sex Establishment Licence

What is a Sex Establishment?

A sex establishment can either be a Sex Shop 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 films which are concerned primarily with, or relate to, or are intended to stimulate sexual activity.

Where do I apply for a Licence?

Applications are made to the Local Authority under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. The law defines the way in which an application is made, which includes advertising the 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 situation of the premises in relation to other premises in the area

whether the number of sex establishments in that locality is equal to, or exceeds the number which the Council considers appropriate for the area.

Download an Application for Grant/Renewal/Transfer of a Licence for a Sex Establishment.

Download a copy of the Sex Establishment Licence Schedule of Conditions (32K)

Download a copy of the sex shop policy (104K)

Fees

View current Licensing and Registration Fees

Your Right to Appeal

Any person aggrieved by a refusal to be granted a licence or by any condition to which a licence is subject may appeal to the Magistrates' Court. An appeal against a decision made at the Magistrates Court may be appealed at the Crown Court, but the decision of the Crown Court is final.

Offences and Penalties

Anybody who operates a sex establishment without a licence, or fails to comply with licence conditions, or admits persons under the age of 18 is committing an offence. Penalties upon conviction can range from £1,000 to £20,000.