Licensing and permits

Sex establishment licence

The council does not take a moral stand in the licensing of sex establishments. We recognise that Parliament has made it lawful to operate a sex establishment and that such businesses are a legitimate part of the retail and leisure industries.

It is the council’s role as a licensing authority to administer the licensing regime in accordance with the law.

We have adopted schedule 3 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as amended by section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009) which allows the council to licence sex shops, sex cinemas and sexual entertainment venues in the city.

  • Sex Establishment Licensing Policy

    Download this document: Sex Establishment Licensing Policy (PDF: 180 KB)

    Our sex establishment licensing policy contains the policy of Liverpool City Council on the regulation of sex establishments. It is intended to apply to all applications received after the date on which it is approved by the council.

    First published: 10/03/2011

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Application forms and guidance notes

Sexual entertainment venues

Sex shops