Sex establishment licences
Sex establishments must be licensed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, as amended by the Greater London Council (General Powers) Act 1986.
The definition of sex establishment includes:
- sex cinemas, at which R18-certificate films are to be shown
- sex shops, which are premises, vehicles or stalls used for selling, displaying or demonstrating sex articles (which may include R18-certificate videos and DVDs) or other things used in connection with sexual activity or acts of force or restraint associated therewith
- sex encounter establishments, which are premises at which performances, services or entertainments are carried on, which are not unlawful but are concerned with sexual stimulation or exposure of genitalia (and which do not constitute sexual activity)
Please contact us for further information on how to apply for a sex establishment licence.
Sexual entertainment venues
New legislation has recently been passed which will introduce a further category of sex establishment - sexual entertainment venues. When this comes into force, any premises hosting displays of nudity (such as striptease or lap-dancing) or other live performances provided for the purpose of sexually stimulating any member of an audience, will need to be licensed as a sex establishment.
A date has not yet been set for the new laws to come into force, but we will update this page as and when further information is released by the government.