Premises related licensing
We are responsible for licensing a range of premises, including auction rooms, sports grounds, marriage and civil partnership venues, caravan sites and sex establishments.
Any premises involved in the sale or supply of alcohol, the provision of regulated entertainment (including music, dancing, plays and films), or the sale of late night refreshment must be licensed under the Licensing Act 2003. Please see our Licensing Act 2003 pages for further information.
Any premises used to provide facilities for gambling, including betting shops, bingo halls and amusement arcades, as well as any other premises where gaming machines are made available for use, must be licensed under the Gambling Act 2005. For more information, please see our Gambling Act 2005 pages.
Auction licences (competitive bidding)
Any premises or stall from which goods are sold by way of competitive bidding (i.e. by auction) must be registered with us. This requirement applies to any auctions featuring any plate, plated articles, linen, china, glass, books, prints, furniture, personal or household articles, jewellery, musical instruments or scientific apparatus.
The registration process will assess the suitability of the premises for conducting auctions, and, if a registration is granted, it will be valid for as long as the applicant is occupying and conducting auctions at those premises.
Auctions raising funds for charitable purposes do not need to be licensed, providing the entire proceeds of the auction are donated to the charity. Please contact us before holding a charity auction, so that we can help you to ensure that your planned auction complies with the law and the exemption from registration.
Promoting, conducting or assisting in a 'Mock Auction' is illegal, under the Mock Auctions Act 1961. Mock auctions are those where the right to bid on goods is restricted to persons who have had to purchase another item, or where goods are sold for less than the highest bid, or where goods are given away as gifts.
Caravan site licence
The Caravan and Control of Development Act 1960 prohibits the use of land as a caravan site unless the occupier holds a site licence issued by the local authority.
Marriage & civil partnership venues
Any venue used for the solemnisation of civil marriages and the registration of civil partnerships must be registered with the Council. Please contact us for further details on the registration process.
Please note that any civil marriage or partnership ceremony that is to take place at registered premises must be arranged in conjunction with the Register Office.
Sex establishment licences
Sex establishments are required to be licensed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
Please contact us for more information.
Sports ground licence
Any sports ground with a capacity of more than 10,000 spectators must be certified. This certificate is issued after inspections to ensure that the ground meets safety criteria laid down by the government.
The only licensed sports ground in Lambeth is the Oval.
Street café licence
See tables and chairs (amenities) licences and temporary shop front licences.
Our service standards
- We will provide you with full information on the licensing process and keep you up to date with the process of your application.
- We aim to process most applications within 8 weeks of receipt of a valid application.
- We aim to answer our public contact telephone numbers within 20 seconds during office hours (9-5).