08 February 2012Summary
To run a sex shop in the Sevenoaks District - i.e. any premises selling sex toys, books or videos - you may need a licence from Sevenoaks District Council. To run a venue where explicit films are shown to members of the public, you also need a licence from Sevenoaks District Council.
However, you may apply to Sevenoaks District Council requesting to waive the requirement of a licence.
Eligibility criteria
An applicant:
Regulation summary
View a summary of the eligibility criteria for sex shops and cinema licences.
Application evaluation process
Fees will be payable for applications and conditions may be attached. See details of licensing fees.
Applications must contain any information the local authority requires, as well as the applicant's name, address and, where the applicant is an individual, their age, plus the address of the premises.
Applicants must give public notice of their application by publishing an advertisement in a local newspaper.
Will tacit consent apply?
Yes. This means that you will be able to act as though your application is granted if you have not heard from the local authority by the end of the target completion period, which is two months from the date of the application.
Apply online
Failed application redress
Please contact Sevenoaks District Council's Licensing Team in the first instance.
Any applicant who is refused a licence, or refused the renewal of a licence, may, within 21 days of being notified of the refusal, appeal to the local Magistrates' Court.
However, the right to appeal does not apply where the licence was refused on the grounds that:
Licence holder redress
A licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition can appeal to a local magistrates' court.
We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.
Alternatively contact Sevenoaks District Council's Licensing Team.
Licence holders may at any time apply to the authority for a variation of the terms, conditions or restrictions in their licence.
If an application for a variation is refused, or if the licence is revoked, the licence holder may, within 21 days of being notified of the imposition of, or the refusal to vary, the term, condition or restriction in question, or of the revocation, appeal to the local magistrates' court.
A licence holder may also appeal to the crown court against a decision of a magistrates' court
Other redress
Any person objecting to an application for the grant, renewal or transfer of a licence may give written notice of their objection to the relevant authority, stating the grounds of the objection, within 28 days of the date of the application.
