Sex Establishments are required to be licensed under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.
A sex establishment can either be a Sex Shop or a Sex Cinema.
A sex shop is a premises used for business which consists to a significant degree of selling sex articles.
A sex cinema is any premises used to a significant degree for showing of films which are concerned primarily with, or relate to, or are intended to stimulate sexual activity.
The law defines the way in which an application is made, which include advertising notice of the application in the local press and displaying a notice outside the premises for a specific time period to give 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:
Copies of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1963 can be purchased from Her Majesty's Stationery Office.
A copy of the legislation can be viewed at the Council Offices where you can also obtain an application form and a copy of our standard conditions.
Alternatively, you can download an Application form for sex establishment (pdf).
For further information contact licensing@southnorthants.gov.uk.
For more information please contact:
Licensing Team
Telephone: 0845 2300226
Email: info@southnorthants.gov.uk