You will need a sex establishment licence if you would like to run a sex shop, sexual entertainment venue (lap dancing club), or a sex cinema.
Find information on the legislation relating to sex establishments can be found on GOV.UK.
Before making your application, read the sex establishment licensing policy.
If you would like to apply for a new sex establishment licence, variations to your licence, renew your licence or apply for new advertising material for your sex establishment, request sex establishment licence forms online
Send your completed applications forms by email to entertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk or post your application to:
Leeds City Council
Entertainment Licensing
Civic Hall
Leeds
LS1 1UR
A sex establishment licence lasts one year. Towards the end of the year you are able to apply for a renewal of the licence, which is subject to same application process as a new licence.
| Sex shop licence | Fee |
|---|---|
| New application | £2,726 |
| Variation | £2,370 |
| Renewal | £845 |
| Transfer | £948 |
| Change of details | £130 |
| Sex entertainment venue licence | Fee |
| New application | £2,726 |
| Variation | £2,370 |
| Renewal | £2,432 |
| Transfer | £2,535 |
| Change of details | £130 |
| Sex cinema licence | Fee |
| New application | £2,726 |
| Variation | £2,370 |
| Renewal | £845 |
| Transfer | £948 |
| Change of details | £130 |
If you have a change in personnel, email entertainment.licensing@leeds.gov.uk to request an information on individuals form for each new employee.
There is no charge for a change in personnel details.
Anyone wanting to object to an application for a sex establishment must write to us stating the grounds of the objection, within 28 days of the date of the application.
Should you have cause for complaint in relation to a sex establishment, we would always recommend that you write to the business first. If that does not work, please contact us and providing it is a matter covered by the legislation, we can investigate the complaint for you.
The council and the West Yorkshire Police are joint data controllers of the information you provide. The council and the West Yorkshire Police have a statutory duty to process and maintain licences and permissions and conduct enforcement activities in accordance with the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as part of a legal obligation to meet the statutory requirements for the licensing of sex establishments (lap dancing clubs, sex shops, sex cinemas).
We may share the following information with other third parties: details of premises, licence status, the names, addresses and company numbers of persons and companies named on a licence. This information may be shared with other services in the council.
In addition we will share with external third party organisations including government departments, West Yorkshire Police, British Transport Police, Home Office, Information Commissioner's Office (for National Fraud Initiative), Department of Work and Pensions, HM Revenues and Customs, The Health and Safety Executive, West Yorkshire Joint Services, Businesses Against Crime in Leeds, Leeds BID, West Yorkshire Fire Service, The Environment Agency, and West Yorkshire Police in order to make further enquiries regarding your application or where required by law for the detection and prevention of crime.
The personal information you provide as part of your application will be held for a period of 6 years following the termination of the licence.
The West Yorkshire Police full privacy notice can be found on their website.
Should you have cause for complaint, we would always recommend that you write to the business first. If that does not work, please contact us and providing it is a matter covered by the legislation, we can investigate the complaint for you.
0113 378 5029
Entertainment Licensing
Leeds City Council
Civic Hall
Leeds
LS1 1UR
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