Sexual Entertainment Venues

On 24 February 2011 South Oxfordshire District Council resolved to adopt the amendments to Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 made by section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 concerning the licensing of sexual entertainment venues. This is now in effect (starting from on 1 April 2011).

Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 allows us to regulate sexual entertainment venues where relevant entertainment is provided before a live audience for the financial gain of the organiser or entertainer. Relevant entertainment means any live performance or any live display of nudity.

• View the Sexual Entertainment Venues Policy (121.1 KB)

Licences for sexual entertainment venues

It is a requirement that, in areas where the amended Schedule 3 of the 1982 Act has effect, no person shall use any premises, vehicle, vessel or stall as a sex establishment, including a sexual entertainment venue, without a licence. Any person who knowingly contravenes this requirement shall be guilty of an offence.

How to apply

Below you will find all the application forms you need to apply:

• The form for the newspaper advert you have to put in a paper circulating the area (144.5 KB)
• The form you have to send to the  council confirming the advert has been placed (143.5 KB)
• The form of site advert you have to display on your premises to say they have applied for a licence (145.0 KB)
• The form you have to send to the council confirming that the site advert has been placed (143.0 KB)

Applications for grant, renewal or transfer of a licence must be made in writing to the council and must comply with the procedural requirements set out in the 1982 Act. An application for a licence may be refused by the council on any of the grounds set out in paragraph 12 of Schedule 3 to the 1982 Act. Before refusing an application the council must give the applicant an opportunity to appear and be heard by the relevant committee of the council. If the council refuses an application it must give the applicant written reasons for the decision.

Licences generally remain in force for 12 months but the council may specify a shorter period, as it may think fit. Applicants for the grant, variation, renewal or transfer of a licence shall pay a reasonable fee to the council. The council may prescribe standard conditions applicable to sex establishment licences.

Transitional arrangements will apply for 12 months commencing on 1 March 2011 and existing operators can continue to provide relevant entertainment until 28 February 2012 or determination of an application by the operator (whichever is the later) after which date if they continue to provide relevant entertainment without a licence they will be operating unlawfully.

For further information contact the Licensing Team.