To run a sex shop - ie any premises selling sex articles (books, toys or R18 videos etc) you may need a licence from Waltham Forest Council. To run a venue where explicit films are shown to members of the public, you may also need a licence from us.

Eligibility criteria

An applicant:

  • Must be at least 18 years old
  • Must not be disqualified from holding a licence
  • Must have been resident in the UK at least six months immediately before the application or, if a body corporate, must be incorporated in the UK
  • Must not have been refused the grant or renewal of a licence for the premises in question within the last 12 months unless the refusal has been reversed on appeal

Regulation summary

See a summary of the regulation relating to this licence on the Office of Public Sector Information website.

The application process

Fees will be payable for applications and conditions may be attached.

Applications must be in writing (including by electronic means) and contain any information Waltham Forest Council requires, as well as the applicant's name, address and, where the applicant is an individual, their age, plus the address of the premises.

On the date on which the application is made for a licence, the applicant is required to put up on and display a notice in a place where it can easily be seen and read by persons in the street or adjoining public place. This notice must be displayed for a period of 28 days.  Within seven days of applying for a licence a notice advertising the application must be published in a local newspaper.

On receipt of a valid application, arrangements will be made to carry out a detailed inspection of the premises by Council Officers, Fire Safety Officer and the Police. As a result of these inspections you may be issued with a statement and schedule of works required to meet the Council’s requirements.Any works detailed are in addition to those which maybe required under Building Control or Planning Legislation. It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that all planning and building control have been obtained.

Will tacit consent apply?

Yes. You can assume that your application is granted if no representations have been received within 28 days of submitting your application.

Email licensing@walthamforest.gov.uk
Phone 020 8496 3000

Fees

Grant £15,423
Renewal £7,711

Apply online

If your application failed

Please contact Waltham Forest Direct and ask for the licensing team in the first instance.

Any applicant who is refused a licence may, within 21 days of being notified of the refusal, appeal to the local magistrates' court.

However, the right to appeal does not apply where the licence was refused on the grounds that:

  • The number of sex establishments in the area exceeds the number which the authority consider is appropriate
  • The grant of the licence would be inappropriate considering the character of the area, the nature of other premises in the area, or the premises themselves

Licence holder redress

Please contact Waltham Forest Direct and ask for the licensing team in the first instance.

A licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition can appeal to a local magistrates' court and may also appeal to the crown court against a decision of a magistrates' court.

Licence holders may at any time apply to Waltham Forest Council for a variation of the terms, conditions or restrictions in their licence.

If an application for a variation is refused, or if the licence is revoked, the licence holder may, within 21 days of being notified of the imposition of, or the refusal to vary, the term, condition or restriction in question, or of the revocation, appeal to the local magistrates' court.

Consumer complaint

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Directgov gives advice on your consumer rights. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.

Other redress

Please contact Waltham Forest Direct and ask for the licensing team in the first instance.

Any person objecting to an application for the grant, renewal or transfer of a licence may give written notice of their objection to the relevant authority, stating the grounds of the objection, within 28 days of the date of the application.

Contact us

Waltham Forest Licensing Section

Environmental Health and Trading Standards
Environment and Regeneration
Waltham Forest Council
Sycamore House
Forest Road
Walthamstow E17 4JF

Tel 020 8496 3000
Email wfdirect@walthamforest.gov.uk

eugo portal