Apply for a sex establishment licence

About sex establishment licences

If you want to operate a sex establishment you’ll need a sex establishment licence. 

We issue licences for: 

• sex shops
• sex cinemas
• sexual entertainment venues, such as strip clubs and lap dancing clubs

Licence fees

Apply for a licence 

To apply for a licence, you need to: 

1. Read the guidance and conditions:

2. Complete the application form:

3. Submit your application form and accompanying documents. 

Send us 5 copies of each of these documents: 

• your completed application form
• plan of the premises (to a stated scale)
• non-returnable application fee

4. Advertise your application

For new licence applications, renewals and variations, you need to: 

• display a notice at the premises for 21 days)
• place an advert in a local newspaper about the application and send a copy of the advert to Licensing at The Woolwich Centre.

After you’ve applied 

1. When we receive your application, we’ll consult with various organisations and individuals, details of consultees are in the Guide to licensing a sex establishment.
2. Our Licensing Sub Committee will consider your application on its own merit.  You will have the opportunity to address the committee at a hearing, as will any objectors.
3. You’ll receive written confirmation of the committee’s decision within 7 days.
4. If you’re granted a licence, it may be subject to conditions. Condition examples are in the Sex establishment pool of standard conditions 

Offences and penalties 

It’s a criminal offence to: 

• operates a sex establishment without a licence
• fail to comply with licence conditions
• admit persons under the age of 18 

If convicted, penalties can range from £1,000 to £20,000.