Background
Sex Establishments are defined in schedule three to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 as either sex shops or sex cinemas. Southampton City Council adopted the licensing provisions of schedule three of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 in relation to such premises in 1983 and readopted them in 1995.
Sex Shops
Sex shops are defined as any premises, vehicle, vessel or stall used for a business that consists to a significant degree of selling, hiring, exchanging, lending, displaying or demonstrating sex articles. "Sex articles" are further defined by the legislation.
The main purpose of applications for sex shop licences is to permit the sale of videos or DVDs classified as "R18" by the British Board of Film Classification (the BBFC) to be sold. The R18 category is a legally restricted classification primarily for explicit videos of consenting sex between adults. Such video recordings may only be supplied to adults in licensed sex shops.
Sex Cinemas
Sex cinemas are defined as any premises, vehicle, vessel or stall used to a significant degree for the exhibition of moving pictures, by whatever means produced, which are concerned primarily with the portrayal of, or primarily deal with or relate to, or are intended to stimulate or encourage sexual activity or acts of force or restraint which are associated with sexual activity or are concerned primarily with the portrayal of, or primarily deal with or relate to, genital organs or urinary or excretory functions, but does not include a dwelling-house to which the public is not admitted. Such premises will show R18 films to persons over the age of 18.
Sexual Entertainment Venues
From 6 April 2010 local authorities in England have been able to adopt additional powers to regulate lap dancing clubs and similar venues.
Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 (see link below) amends Schedule 3 to the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 to introduce a new category of sex establishment - a "Sexual Entertainment Venue". The legislation requires premises providing "relevant entertainment", such as lap dancing, to obtain a sex establishment licence. There is an exemption for premises providing such entertainment on an infrequent basis only.
Sexual entertainment venues are defined as "any premises at which relevant entertainment is provided before a live audience for the financial gain of the organiser or the entertainer" and "relevant entertainment" is "any live performance or live display of nudity which is of such a nature that, ignoring financial gain, it must reasonably be assumed to be provided for the purpose of sexually stimulating any members of an audience (whether by verbal or other means)". An "audience" can consist of just one person.
Local authorities have flexibility to decide whether to bring the provisions into force in their area.
The council's Licensing Committee has resolved to consult on whether or not to adopt the provisions relating to the licensing of sexual entertainment venues. Further information is available via the link to sexual entertainment venues on the left.
The Home Office has provided guidance for local authorities regarding sexual entertainment venues. This will also be of use to operators, the police and the general public.
Applications
Application forms are available via the link at the bottom of this page. Licences are annual and the fees for grant or renewal of licences are currently £3,500.00. All applications must be advertised in the local press and immediately outside the premises.
General
The legislation is complex and has been subject to considerable attention by the courts. Anyone considering applying for a sex establishment licence is strongly advised to take competent specialist legal advice at an early stage to ensure that their application is properly made.
Licensed premises are inspected on a frequent basis to ensure their compliance with the legislation and the licence conditions. It should be noted that the Indecent Displays (Control) Act 1981 prohibits the public display of any indecent matter unless access is only on payment or the display is in a shop that can only be accessed by passing beyond a warning notice. No person under the age of 18 may be permitted to enter such licensed premises.
Determination of Applications
All applications for sex establishment licences are required to be considered by the council's Licensing (General) Sub-Committee - this function is not delegated to officers. All applications are determined on their merits, subject to statutory criteria, but certain additional factors will need to be considered, including the location of the proposed premises and their visual impact. Objections on moral grounds alone are unlikely to result in an application being refused.
Opening hours
Members of the licensing team will normally be available at Southbrook Rise to assist personal callers on weekdays between 9 a.m. and 12 noon and between 2 and 4 p.m. We may be available at other times by prior appointment.
Please note that the addresses and numbers given above should only be used for communication with the licensing team.
Southampton City Council
