Apply for a sex establishment licence
A licence is needed for a premises selling sexual products and entertainment content.
Sex establishments are:
- sex shops
- sex cinemas
- sexual entertainment venues
The law defines the way in which an application is made, including advertising the notice of the application in the local press and displaying a notice outside the premises for a specified time period, to give passers-by the opportunity to comment prior to a statutory closing date.
When considering an application for a sex establishment licence the council may only consider the following criteria:
- the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 – legislation.gov.uk
- any supporting regulations
- the statement of licensing policy
- comments made by the chief officer of police and objections made
- in all cases, we reserves the right to consider each application on its own merit
Requirements for a grant, renewal, variation and transfer
The requirements are that:
- all grant applications must be submitted along with a plan variations will require a plan if there are structural alterations to the premises
- renewals and transfer applications are not required
- a notice must be displayed both on the premises and newspaper
For more information on requirements, read our sex establishments licensing policy.
Apply for a licence
Apply for a sex establishment licence – GOV.UK
Sex establishment application form (PDF, 202.98KB)
Offences and penalties
Anybody who operates a sex establishment without a licence or fails to comply with the condition of the licence, or admits persons under the age of 18 is committing an offence, penalties upon conviction range from £1,000 to £20,000, per offence.
Appeal
If your application for a licence is refused, you may appeal by 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
- 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
Further information
Copies of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 can be purchased from Her Majesty's Stationery Office – legislation.gov.uk. A copy of the legislation may be viewed at our council offices, where you can also obtain an application form and a copy of our standard conditions.
Contact
For more information, contact our Licensing Service.
Email: licensing@luton.gov.uk
Telephone: 01582 546040
Luton Council
Town Hall
George Street
Luton
LU1 2BQ