Licence for a sex shop or explicit cinema

You need a licence to run a sex shop (any premises selling sex toys, books or videos) or a venue where explicit films are shown to members of the public.

Apply for a licence

Contact us to find out more and apply for a sex establishment licence. The fee for an application is can be found here.

Once you’ve applied for a licence you must:

  • publish an advert about your application in a local newspaper
  • display a notice about your application in or near your premises for 21 days

Applications will be processed within 10 working days.

Making an appeal

Any applicant who is refused a licence, or refused the renewal of a licence, may, within 21 days of being notified of the refusal, appeal to the local magistrates' court. However, the right to appeal does not apply where the licence was refused on the grounds that:

  • the number of sex establishments in the area exceeds the number which the authority consider is appropriate
  • the grant of the licence would be inappropriate considering the character of the area, the nature of other premises in the area, or the premises themselves