Sex Establishments

Sex Establishments are required to be licensed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982. Establishments which fall within the definition are:

• Sex shops, premises used for business which consist to a significant degree of selling sex articles.
• Sex cinemas, any premises used to a significant degree for showing films which are concerned primarily with, relate to, or are intended to stimulate sexual activity.

The law prescribes the manner of application, which includes placing an public notice of the application in the local press and displaying a notice outside the premises for a specific time period to enable passers-by to comment.

When considering an application for a sex establishment licence the local authority can only consider the following criteria:

• The suitability of the Applicant
• Whether the person applying is a "front" person for someone else
• The location and situation of the premises in relation to other premises in the area
• Whether the number of sex establishments in that locality is equal to, or exceeds the number which the Council considers appropriate for the area

Please call us on 01252 617119 to find out how we can assist you.