Apply for a licence for a sexual entertainment venue, a sex shop, or a sex cinema.

You may need a licence if you want to run:

  • a sexual entertainment venue, which is any premises where there's a performance primarily intended to sexually stimulate the audience
  • a sex shop, which is any premises primarily selling sex toys, books or videos
  • a venue where explicit films are shown to members of the public

In certain circumstances, you might be able to ask us for a licence waiver. We'll consider requests on a case-by-case basis.

Contact us if you want to ask for a waiver.

Who can apply for a sex establishment licence

To apply for a sex establishment licence, you must:

  • be at least 18 years old
  • have been resident in the UK at least 6 months when you apply, or be incorporated in the UK if you're a body corporate
  • not be disqualified from holding a sex establishment licence
  • not have been refused a new or renewed licence for the premises in the last 12 months, unless the refusal has been reversed on appeal

Apply for a new licence or renew an existing licence

You can apply:

  • online on GOV.UK (sex shops and sex cinemas only)
  • by post

Apply online

Apply for a sex shop and cinema licence (GOV.UK)

When you apply on GOV.UK, please upload our  document application form (229 KB) and  document application annexes (95 KB) to your application.

Apply by post

You'll need to:

The wording on the public notice should be the same on the premises as it is in the newspaper.

Send your application to:

Licensing Team (Temple Street)
Bristol City Council
PO Box 3399, Bristol BS1 9NE

and

Chief Officer of Police
Licensing
First Floor, PO Box 3119
Bristol, BS1 9GG.
bristollicensingteam@avonandsomerset.police.uk

Fees

Sexual entertainment venues

Grant: £9,370
Renewal: £6,240
Transfer: £410
Variation: £410
Withdrawn application: rebate calculated on a case by case basis

Sex shops or cinemas

Grant: £9,370
Renewal: £2,340
Transfer: £410
Variation: £410
Withdrawn application: rebate calculated on a case by case basis

Register of Applications

Our list of applications received is updated weekly in the downloadable files at the end of this page.

Objections

You can make an objection to a licence application by email to licensing@bristol.gov.uk

Sex establishment policy

Find our policies on sex establishments in Bristol.

Contact information

Licensing Team (Temple Street)

Bristol City Council
PO Box 3399
Bristol BS1 9NE

Email: licensing@bristol.gov.uk
Phone: 0117 357 4900