Introduction
Sex Establishments are defined by schedule 2 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. Sex Establishments are sex shops, sex cinemas and sexual entertainment venues.
If you want to sell sex-related items from your premises, operate a sex cinema or provide sexual entertainment to the public in a premises, you may need to have a sex establishment licence.
Types of licence
A “sexual entertainment venue” means any premises at which relevant entertainment is provided before a live audience for the financial gain of the organiser or the entertainer (an audience can consist of just one person). “Relevant entertainment” is defined as any live performance or any live display of nudity which is of such a nature that, ignoring financial gain, it must reasonably be assumed to be provided solely or principally for the purpose of sexually stimulating any member of the audience (whether verbally or other means).
A “sex cinema” means any premises, vessel, vehicle or stall used to a significant degree for the exhibition of moving pictures which are concerned primarily with a) the portrayal of, or b) primarily deal with or c) relate to or d) intending to stimulate or encourage sexual activity.
A “sex shop” means any premises, vehicle, vessel or stall used for business which consists to a significant degree of selling, hiring, exchanging, lending, displaying or demonstrating sex articles or other things intended for use in connection with or for stimulating or encouraging sexual activity.
Application form
To apply for this licence please read this guidance Sex shop and cinema licence – GOV.UK and complete the sex establishments application form.
To change the details of an already licensed establishment, please use this form:
Fees and charges
Current fees and charges can be found at Fees and charging.