Council services

Sex shops means any premises, vehicle, vessel or stall used for a business that consists to a significant degree of selling, hiring, exchanging, lending, displaying or demonstrating sex articles. 

The main purpose of applications is to enable the sale of videos or DVDs classified as 'R18' by the British Board of Film Classification (BBFC) to be sold. The 'R18' category is a special and legally restricted classification primarily for explicit videos of consenting sex between adults. Such videos may be supplied to adults only in licensed sex shops, of which there are currently about 90 in the UK.

Certain factors need to be considered when application for a sex shop licence is made. These factors will include whether or not the premises are in an inappropriate location, for example near a school, a place of worship or family shopping area. All applications must be advertised in the local press. In addition, where the application is in respect of a premise, a notice must be displayed outside the premises.

The licensing of Sex Shops is governed by Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.  A Local Council as Licensing Authority may, from time to time, grant or renew a Licence for the use of any premises, vehicle, vessel or stall for such purposes on such terms and conditions, as it thinks fit.