What do we licence
This page lists many of the activities for which a licence, permit or registration must be obtained from Lambeth Council, and provides links for further information on several types of licence issued by other bodies.
Please note that this page is not exhaustive, and we recommend that business proprietors use Business Link's business sector information tool to identify any other licences that may be required for their business activities.
Public registers are available for:
- Houses in multiple occupation
- Entertainment licensing - under the Licensing Act 2003
- Food premises
- Marriage venues
- Evarporative cooling tower
You can view these at our offices from 9am to 5pm Monday to Friday, to arrange this contact our licensing team at licensing@lambeth.gov.uk.
Licences issued by Lambeth
Follow the links for more information on each type of licence and details of how to make an application.
Other licences not issued by Lambeth
A number of categories of licence are administered by organisations other than Lambeth. Please follow the links provided below for further information on each category of licence.
Consumer credit licences
If a business offers credit or lends money to consumers, or allows customers time to pay for goods and services, it must be licensed with the Office of Fair Trading under the Consumer Credit Act 1974. Visit the Office of Fair Trading website for further information on applying for a licence.
Door supervision and security licences
The Security Industry Authority (also known as the SIA) is responsible for licensing all individuals and companies working in the security industry, including all door supervisors. Visit the door supervision section of the Security Industry Authority website for further information on applying for a licence.
Fire regulations and certificates
The recent Fire Safety Regulatory Reform Order has eliminated the need for most premises to hold fire certificates, although every commercial premises must be subject to a comprehensive fire safety risk assessment. The London Fire Brigade is responsible for enforcing fire safety laws. For more information on fire regulations and fire safety, visit the London Fire Brigade website.
Nursing agencies and care homes
The proprietors of all adult social care services, including nursing agencies, care homes and domiciliary care agencies, must register with the Commission for Social Care Inspection (CSCI). Visit the Commission for Social Care Inspection website for further information.
Petroleum licensing
The London Fire Brigade is the licensing authority for the storage of petroleum in London. You need a licence if you are storing petroleum for commercial or retail purposes. Visit the London Fire Brigade website for further information on applying for a licence.
PRS/PPL licences
Businesses playing music may need to obtain licences from the Performing Rights Society and Phonographic Performance Limited, in respect of the royalty payments associated with copyrighted music. For further information, please see the PRS and PPL websites.
Performances of music will also require authorisation from Lambeth under an alcohol, entertainment and late night refreshment licence.
Sunday trading
There is no longer any requirement for shops wishing to trade on Sundays to register with their local authority. However, the number of hours that large shops (i.e. shops with a floor space of more than 280 square metres/3,000 square feet) may trade for on Sundays remains restricted. The Department for Business, Enterprise and Regulatory Reform have produced a Sunday Trading Quick Facts web page, that gives further details on the current legislation regulating Sunday trading.
Taxi, private hire and minibus licences
Transport for London (TfL) is responsible for licensing the drivers, vehicles and operators of hackney carriages (taxis) and private hire vehicles (minicabs) within London. See the Public Carriage Office section of the TfL website for more information.
The Department of Transport operates a permit scheme for voluntary and non-profit making organisations wishing to operate minibuses for the carriage of passengers. For more information visit the Transport Office website.