What we currently licence
Since 25 November 2005, the City Council has had responsibility for personal and premises licences under the Licensing Act 2003.
Licensing of Premises
The Licensing service aims to provide a safe, well-regulated environment, at places licensed by the council and to protect the interests of local residents. By licensing premises the Council is able to ensure that licensees abide by licence conditions and regulations so that premises are well run and to ensure public safety. The council takes action against licensees who break their licence conditions. For more information about this, please see the section of our website about
the Licensing Act 2003.
The licensing service in Westminster processes a wide variety of licence applications. The main licence applications are as follows:
Temporary Event Notice (TEN)
Under the Licensing Act 2003 certain temporary events, which include licensable activities, are permitted under the Act if they are notified to the Council and the Police by giving a ‘Temporary Event Notice’.
Gambling Act 2005
Since 1 September 2007, the City Council has had responsibility for licensing premises providing facilities for gambling, or which are used for gambling. For more information, please visit the
Gambling area of this site.
Special Treatment
These are premises that provide a wide variety of treatments, the main ones being sauna, massage and sun beds. Special treatments also include all beauty treatments provided by salons i.e. leg waxing, manicure, and pedicure, facials, eyelash tinting, electrolysis etc. Besides the premises for special treatment having to be licensed, the therapist who provides the treatment also has to be registered with the council.
Therapists
A therapist will be working in a recognised Special Treatment establishment. Therapists will be requested to produce various certificates, proving they are qualified to carry out certain treatments. Without the registration, a Special Treatment establishment should not employ that person.
Door Supervisors
As from the end of April 2005, responsibility for licensing door supervisors transferred to the
Security Industry Authority.
Sex Establishment Licensing
Sex establishments are limited almost entirely to Soho and include bookshops, video shops, sex encounter premises (including peep shows) and topless bars.
Residents/Interested Parties
The City Council will accept a representation from interested parties that is sent in by electronic means - please complete our online form to make a representation.
Applications however will not be accepted electronically.
You can also submit representations in writing to the address below.
Loud Speaker Consent
Under the Noise and Statutory Nuisance Act 1993 and the Serious Organised Crime and Police Act 2005 the City Council may consent to the operation of a loudspeaker in a street.
Explosives and Fireworks
If you wish to store and sell explosives/fireworks from your premises you will require a registration or licence. The following information will give you details of how to apply.
Other minority licences
Poison registrations, riding establishments,
pet shops,
lotteries, amusement arcades, near beer,
marriage establishments, films,
pools promoters and zoos.
Street Traders
Westminster’s licensing service also deals with Street Trading within the City of Westminster. There are a number of designated street markets, these are:
- Berwick Street
- Church Street
- Rupert Street
- Strutton Street
- Tachbrook Street
There are also isolated pitches around Westminster. However, some of these are over subscribed and a waiting list form may have to be completed.
The City council also has the Bayswater Road and Green Park Artists Exhibitions. These are places where artists can exhibit their artwork. You need a licence to exhibit in these areas.
Temporary licences for street trading include:
- Tables and chairs
- Portrait artists
- Farmers’ markets
- Special events, including Notting Hill Carnival
Application forms and further information
Should you require an application form or further information please contact the licensing service in Westminster by telephoning or writing to:
Tel: 020 7641 7822 or 020 7641 8549
Address:
Licensing Service
Westminster City Council
Westminster City Hall
64 Victoria Street
London
SW1E 6QP
There are still many other licences which this department deals with, but these licences often only appear a few times during the year.
The licences mentioned above and the information provided in respect of them only reflect Westminster City Council's requirements and may vary in other councils.
Please select the appropriate link from the list below for information about the following licences:
- Skips/Scaffolding/Hoarding/Gantry/Vault Bridge/Temporary Crossing/Storage of Materials
This is handled by Highways Licensing (a part of Westminster City Council).
- Street Parking Permits
This is handled by Parking (a part of Westminster City Council).
- Food Safety Registration
This is handled by Environmental Health (a part of Westminster City Council).
- Street collections
These are handled by and dealt with by the Metropolitan Police. Anyone carrying out street collections for charity must contact the Police on 020 7321 7129.
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