Premises related licensing
We are responsible for licensing premises for a wide range of functions, including auction rooms, venues for marriage and civil partnership ceremonies, sale of non-medicinal poisons, sports grounds and caravan sites.
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.
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.
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 marriages and the registration of civil partnerships must have been approved by the Council.
Non-medicinal poisons licence
The Poisons List Order 1982 contains a list of poisonous substances, the supply of which is regulated under the Poisons Act 1972. The substances identified within Part I of this list are poisons that may only be sold by a registered pharmacist, while the substances in Part II of the list may only be sold by persons registered to do so with their local authority.
You must apply to be entered on the Lambeth Council's register of persons permitted to sell Part II poisons.
You must re-register each year by 30 April.
For further information on poisons licences, please contact the Business Support Team within Environmental Health:
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 sports ground currently licensed in Lambeth is the Oval.
Street café licence
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 (9am to 5pm).