Any premises at which live performances or displays of nudity are provided, which is of such a nature that it must be reasonably assumed to be provided solely or principally for the purpose of sexually stimulating any member of the audience, requires a licence from the council.
This includes but is not exclusive to; lap dancing, pole dancing and table dancing venues. Sexual entertainment venues are licensed under the Local Government Miscellaneous Provisions Act 1982.
The loacl authroity may refuse an application if it is satisfied that the number of sex establishments of a particular kind in the relevant locality at the time the application is made, is equal to or exceeds the number, which the authority considers is appropriate for the locality.
The council is able to determine that the appropriate number for a locality is nil. Blackpool Council has determined that in the Bloomfield, Claremont and Talbot wards:
- The number of sex shops shall be one
- The number of sex cinemas shall be nil
- The number of sexual entertainment venues shall be nil*
In all other wards the number shall be nil for all categaories of sex establishments. You will also need a premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003 to authorise the entertainemnt and supply of any alcohol at the premises.
* Sexual entertainment venues with the benefit of a licence immediately before the 2021 policy came into force will be granted ‘grandfather rights’ meaning applications to renew will not be refused on the ground that the policy for such venues is nil. Such licences may be transferred and varied. Where, however a licence has lapsed or been revoked, new applications will be subject to the new policy on numbers (although a court’s power on appeal is not restricted)
Apply for a sexual entertainment venue licence
Download and complete the application form [PDF 125KB]and return with the fee of £3,800. Alternatively you can apply online for a new/renewal or to make a change to your licence.
Applicants:
- Must be at least 18 years old
- Must not be disqualified from holding a licence
- Must have been resident in the UK at least six months immediately before the application or, if a body corporate, must be incorporated in the UK
- Must not have been refused the grant or renewal of a licence for the premises in question within the last 12 months unless the refusal has been reversed on appeal
- Must disclose all convictions (spent convictions should not be included)
- Must advertise the application on site for 28 days and in the local newspaper within 7 days of the application being submitted. A template for the advert is on the back page of the application form
Any person objecting to an application for the grant, renewal or transfer of a licence may give written notice of their objection to Blackpool Council, stating the grounds of the objection, within 28 days of the date of the application.
Applications are referred to the council’s public protection committee for grant or refusal, at which the applicant may attend in person if desired.
Once your application has been granted we aim to issue your licence within 10 working days.
Tacit consent
Tacit consent does not apply. It is in the public interest that Blackpool Council must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from us within a reasonable period, please contact us.
Failed application redress/Licence holder redress
Please contact Blackpool Council in the first instance.
Any applicant who is refused a licence, or refused the renewal of a licence, may, within 21 days of being notified of the refusal, appeal to the local magistrates' court.
However, the right to appeal does not apply where the licence was refused on the grounds that:
- The number of sex establishments in the area exceeds the number which the authority consider is appropriate
- The grant of the licence would be inappropriate considering the character of the area, the nature of other premises in the area, or the premises themselves
A licence holder who wishes to appeal against a condition can appeal to a local magistrates' court.
Complaints
Consumer complaint: We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Citizens Advice Consumer Service can give you advice. From outside the UK contact the European Consumer Centre for Services.
Other redress: Complaints about the operation of the premises should be directed to Blackpool Council licensing service
Contact
The licensing service is available to contact by telephone between 10.00am and 3.00pm Monday to Friday or visit in person by appointment only at the licensing desk at Blackpool Council's Customer First Centre on Corporation Street .