Sex establishment​

You need a licence to:

• run a sex shop selling sex toys, books or videos
• operate a sex entertainment venue, such as a lap-dancing club
• run a sex cinema showing explicit films

Unlicensed events

Sexual entertainment can take place at an unlicensed venue on up to 11 occasions a year, as long as there is at least one calendar month between events.

To hold more frequent events, you must apply for a licence.

Who can apply

You can apply for a licence if you:

• are at least 18 years old
• are not disqualified from holding a licence
• have lived in the UK for at least 6 months immediately before applying, or (if a company) are incorporated in the UK
• have not been refused a licence for the same premises in the past 12 months, unless that refusal was overturned on appeal

Before you apply

Read the council’s Sexual Entertainments Policy for details on the activities that need a licence and how applications are assessed.

You can apply online

After submitting your application you must, within 7 days:

• display a notice of your application at the premises for 21 days
• advertise the application in a local newspaper

Apply for a sex establishment ​licence