Sex Shops

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 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 includes advertising notice of the application in the local press and displaying a notice outside the premises for a specific time period to give the public the opportunity to comment by a statutory closing date.

When considering an application for a sex establishment licence, the Licensing Authority may only use 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

It is the policy of Great Yarmouth Borough Council to limit the number of sex establishments it licences to three premises.

 Application form (139Kb)

For additional information and advice, contact:

The Licensing Team
Great Yarmouth Borough Council
Town Hall
Great Yarmouth
NR30 2QF
Telephone: 846304/846201/846530
Fax: 01493 846201
Email: licensing@great-yarmouth.gov.uk