The regime of licensing ‘sex establishments’, which includes ‘sexual entertainment venues’ (lap dancing and pole dancing clubs), ‘sex cinemas’ and ‘sex shops’ is separate from the public entertainment activities authorised by a Premises Licence although both regimes require an application for a licence to the local authority.

A sexual entertainment venue is one providing live displays of nudity or live performances, with or without nudity, designed to sexually stimulate members of the audience.

A sex cinema is any premises predominantly used for the display of moving pictures concerned with sex or sexually associated matters. A sex shop is any establishment selling predominantly ‘sex articles’. It is often a matter of argument whether the number of sex articles sold or sex films screened comprises a significantly large proportion of the business transacted to require a licence.

Businesses wishing to supply restricted adult videos must also be careful to comply with licensing requirements if they are not to commit a criminal offence.

For advice on Sex Establishments please contact:

Glyn Evans on 01934 637911 e-mail evans@powellslaw.com or
Stephen Soper on 01934 637915 e-mail soper@powellslaw.com.

See also our Pubs, Clubs, Hotels & Restaurants fact sheet (PDF).