Sex establishments and sexual entertainment venues

The Policing and Crime Act came into effect on 6 April 2010. One of the effects of that Act is to enable local authorities to adopt powers in that act, including sex entertainment venues (SEVs). On 15 July 2010 our Council passed a resolution specifying that amendments made by Section 27 of the Policing and Crime Act 2009 to Schedule 3 of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 apply to Brighton & Hove with effect from 19 November 2010.

The council had an existing policy for sex cinemas and sex shops and has now integrated those two regimes with the new sex entertainment venues. The policy went to Licensing Committee on 18 November and was agreed. The policy can be found below.

The first appointed date was therefore 19 November 2010. The second appointed day was 19 May 2011. The third appointed day was 19 Nov 2011.

Sex establishment licensing policy 2010 (PDF 506KB).

How to apply for a sexual entertainment venue licence

Application form

You can download a copy of the application pack, or you can download the forms individually as you work through the guidelines given below.

Applications for a sex establishment licence must be made on the prescribed sex establishments application form (PDF 173kb)

You must submit a copy of your application to the address below within 7 days of submitting the application to the Licensing Team:

Chief Officer of Police,
Police Station
John Street,
Brighton,
BN1 0LA

Tel: 01273 665 523

Electronic submission of applications

Applications may be made electronically on the prescribed form available at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/licensing

When completing your application, you must also complete the notices and certifications below:

Advertisement of application

Applicants for a sex establishment licence must give public notice of the application by publishing an advertisement in a local newspaper that is circulated in Brighton & Hove no later than 7 days after the date the application is made.

Form of certificate for site notice

Where the application relates to a premises, a notice must also be displayed on or near the premises in a place where it can be conveniently read by members of the public. The notice must be displayed for a period of 21 days beginning on the day the application is made.

The notices shall be in the form prescribed and copies of the form notices are also available at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/licensing

Most sexual entertainment venues will require a premises licence or club premises certificate granted under the Licensing Act 2003, as well as a sex establishment licence, in order to sell / supply alcohol, provide regulated entertainment, and provide late night refreshment. Visit our licensing page at www.brighton-hove.gov.uk/licensing for more information.

Fees

The applications for grant, variation, renewal and transfer of a sex establishment have been established by Brighton & Hove City Council with regard to the European Services Directive: Guidance for Local Authorities and LACORS Guidance on the impact of the Services Directive on councils setting and administering local licence fees within the service sector.

Premises license fees for Brighton & Hove Licensing authority - 2023 to 2024

Sex Entertainment Venue: £3,730

Sex Establishment - Grant: £4,080

Sex Establishment - Renewal: £3,730

Sex Establishment - Occasional: £2,200