Skip to site navigation

Accessibility Options

Font size

Colour scheme

Sex establishment licence

 
You need a licence to operate as a sex establishment if you run any of the following:

  • sex cinemas
  • sex encounter establishments (for example, peep shows), or
  • sex shops.
To apply for a sex establishment licence, you need to do the following:

1. Read the guidance

You can download the guidance, or contact us and we will post it to you.

2. Complete the application form

To obtain the form, you can either:

3. Submit your application

Send the completed form to us. (The postal address is at the top of the form). You also need to enclose with your application:

  • the licence fee. The fee for a yearly sex establishment licence is £20,360. You should make cheques payable to 'Greenwich Council'.
  • plans, certificates and other documents described in Section F of the application form.

4. Advertise your application

You need to:

  • Display a large notice at the premises for 21 days (new and variation applications only).
  • Place an advertisement in a local newspaper advertising the application (new and variation applications only) and send a copy of the advertisement to us.

5. What happens next?

  • Once we receive your complete application, we consult with various bodies and individuals. See the guidance for further details.
  • We will consider your application based on certain criteria, which is outlined in the guidance.
  • If we are satisfied with your application and the results of the consultation process, we will issue your licence. Applications often take several weeks to process.

Offences and penalties

  • Anyone who operates a sex establishment without a licence, or fails to comply with licence conditions, or admits persons under the age of 18 is committing an offence.
  • Penalties upon conviction can range from £1,000 to £20,000.

Further information

Please contact us.

A to Z of Services

Contact information