Sex establishments must be licensed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, as amended by the Policing and Crime Act 2009.
The definition of sex establishment includes:
Sex shop
Premises, vehicles or stalls used for selling, displaying or demonstrating sex articles (which may include R18-certificate videos and DVDs) or other things used in connection with sexual activity or acts of force or restraint associated with it.
Sex cinema
Where R18-certificate films can be shown.
Sexual entertainment venue
Premises where entertainment made up of live sexually stimulating performances or displays of nudity is provided in front of an audience, for the financial gain of the organiser or performers. Providing this entertainment on no more than 11 occasions a year, with at least one calendar month between each event, doesn't require a sex establishment licence.
Apply for a licence
There are two fees, the initial fee and the monitoring enforcement fee. You need to pay the initial fee when you apply and then the monitoring/enforcement fee if your application is successful. You must not operate until all fees are paid.
| Initial fee | Monitoring enforcement fee |
Total fee | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Application fee | £1893 | £3222 | £5115 |
| Annual Renewal fee |
£721 | £3222 | £3943 |
| Variation fee | £1073 | ||
| Transfer fee | £1073 |
Contact us for the application form:
Email - [email protected]
Check the register
If you want to know if a premises or operator is licenced you can check the licensing register:
View the Sexual Entertainment Venue licensing register.
If you think someone is unlicensed or you have a complaint you can report the issue.