Sex shop licensing
Sex Establishments are licensed under the
Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982
A sex shop is a premises used for business
which consists to a significant degree of sex articles
The law defines the way in which an
application is made, which include the advertising notice of the
application in the local press and displaying a notice outside the
premises for a specified period giving passers by the opportunity
to comment by a statutory closing date
When considering an application for a Sex
Establishment licence the Council may only use the following
criteria.
The suitability of the applicant
- Whether the person applying is a “front” person for someone
else
- The location and suitability of the premises
- Whether the number of sex establishments in that locality is
equal to, or exceeds the number, which the Council considers
appropriate for the area.
Your Right of Appeal
- 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.
- An 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.
Offences and Penalties
- Anybody who operates a sex establishment without a licence or
fails to comply with licence condition or admits persons under the
age of 18 is committing an offence.
- Penalties upon conviction can range from £1,000 to
£20,000.
To make an application please contact the licensing department
nearest to the proposed premises.
