Sex establishment licence

You need a sex establishment licence to run a sex shop, sex cinema or sexual entertainment venue in Trafford.

Trafford Council adopted Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982, as amended by Section 27 of the Police and Crime Act 2009, on 1 December 2010.

This gives the Council the power to regulate these types of venues.

When you need a licence

You must have a licence if you run or manage any of the following:

  • a sex shop selling sex toys, books or videos
  • a sex cinema showing explicit films to the public
  • a sexual entertainment venue that includes live performances or displays of nudity

Who can apply

To apply for a licence, you must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • not be disqualified from holding a licence
  • not have been refused a licence for the same premises in the past 12 months, unless that refusal has been overturned on appeal

What you need before you apply

You must provide:

  • a completed application form
  • a detailed plan of the premises

You must also:

  • display an A4 notice at the premises for 21 days from the date the application is submitted
    • the notice must be easy to read and clearly visible to the public
  • publish a notice in a local newspaper within 7 days of submitting your application

We will send you templates for both notices once we receive your application.

Cost

The application fee is £2,293.50.

How to pay

  1. Go to the payment portal
  2. Choose Licensing from the All categories drop-down menu
  3. Select Apply
  4. Choose Adult Entertainment Venue
  5. Make your payment

Pay for an adult entertainment licence 

You will receive a payment receipt reference. You must enter this reference on your application form.

How to apply

You can apply online using the Sex establishment licence application form.

Apply for a sex establishment licence

Objections

Anyone can object to an application for the grant, renewal or transfer of a licence.

Objections must:

  • be made in writing
  • include the grounds for the objection
  • be submitted within 28 days of the application date

Refusals and appeals

If your application is refused, or your licence renewal is rejected, you can appeal to Manchester Magistrates’ Court within 21 days of being notified.

You cannot appeal if the refusal was based on either of the following:

  • the number of licensed sex establishments in the area already exceeds what the Council considers appropriate
  • the application is unsuitable given the area’s character, nearby premises, or the nature of the venue itself

If you already hold a licence, you can also appeal to Manchester Magistrates’ Court within 21 days if:

  • a condition has been added or varied
  • your variation application has been refused
  • your licence has been revoked