Stratford on Avon District Council has adopted all the necessary legislation to enable licences to be issued to Sex Shops, Sex Cinemas and Sexual Entertainment Venues (SEV). Once licensed the Licensing Team will then regulate them. The legislation to do with these licences can be found under Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 and section 27 of the Police and Crime Act 2009.

A sex shop is defined as' any premises which consists of a significant degree of selling sex articles'.

A sex cinema is defined as 'any premises used to a significant degree for the showing of films which are concerned primarily with or relate to, or are intended to stimulate sexual activity'.

If you think your business falls within the above definitions please contact Licensing to obtain an application form and further advice.

The term sexual entertainment venue is the legislative term for any of the following:

  • Lap Dancing
  • Strip Tease
  • Pole Dancing
  • Table Dancing
  • Live Sex Shows

Further guidance relating to SEV's can also be found under the Home Office Guidance for Sexual Entertainment Venues for England and Wales. The application form for a sexual entertainment licence can be downloaded by clicking here. The fee to apply is £3850.00. All applicants must be over 18.

By law, a premises can offer sexual entertainment on an infrequent basis without the need to obtain a licence. The entertainment must not last longer than 24 hours, once a month and on no more than 11 occasions in any 12 month period. In order to use this exemption a business must have the permissions (such as music or dance) under the Licensing Act 2003 by either a Temporary Event Notice or a current premises licence.

Contact: The Licensing team

Last updated on 15/05/2023