Watford Borough Council is responsible for licensing sex shops, sex cinemas, and sexual entertainment venues within the Borough under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982.

The term ‘sex shop’ applies to any premises where 18R films are sold, or where there is a significant degree of sex articles for sale. The phrase ‘sex articles’ is defined in the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as amended). The policy provides information on factors the council will consider when determining if a premises is selling sex articles to a significant degree.

The term ‘sexual entertainment venue’ applies to any premises at which relevant entertainment is provided before a live audience (which may be just one person) for the financial gain of the organiser or entertainer. The phrase ‘relevant entertainment; is defined in the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as amended). The policy provides information on what the council would generally consider as being relevant entertainment, including lap dancing, pole dancing and strip shows.

The council has a policy to which it can refer when considering applications, including prescribing standard conditions, and to assist businesses in setting out the council’s expectations. The council’s current policy has been in force since 2020 and expires in July, and we intend to renew this policy. Although we are not required to have a policy for sex establishments and sexual entertainment venues, we consider it good practice to have a policy in place.

We would like to seek your views on renewing this policy for a further 3 years. The policy currently includes limits on the number of premises that may be permitted within the Borough, particularly the town centre, and standard conditions for the different types of premises. Renewing this policy would see this policy areas remain in place.

The consultation ends on Sunday 18 June 2023. Any comments you would like us to consider must be received by this date and no later.
We would welcome any written comments on the policy to the licensing team by email to licensing@watford.gov.uk or in writing to:

Licensing Team
Community Protection
Town Hall
Watford
WD17 3EX

Any views on renewing this policy are welcome. Although you are free to make any comments, please see below for highlighted areas and questions relating to our policy which may assist in commenting.
Limit on sex shops

The Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982 (as amended) allows councils to set a limit on the number of sex shops within a particular locality. The council’s existing policy permits only one sex shop to operate within the Borough, being located within the town centre on The Parade.

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* 1. What is your opinion on this policy? Should the council keep this policy or amend this policy?

Limit on sexual entertainment venues

The Local Government (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 1982 (as amended) allows councils to set a limit on the number of sexual entertainment venues within a particular locality. The council’s existing policy permits only one sexual entertainment venue to operate within the Borough, being located on Market Street.

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* 2. What is your opinion on this policy? Should the council keep this policy or amend this policy?

Standard conditions for sex shops

The council’s existing policy prescribes the standard conditions that shall be attached to all sex shop licences granted under the policy.

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* 3. Do you agree that we should list standard conditions or disagree with prescribing standard conditions?

Standard conditions for sexual entertainment venues

The council’s existing policy prescribes the standard conditions that shall be attached to all sexual entertainment venue licences granted under this policy.

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* 4. Do you agree that we should list standard conditions or disagree with prescribing standard conditions?

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* 5. If you have any more general comments, please leave them below

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