General Licensing

General Licensing covers an array of differing licensing regimes that do not fall under the Licensing Act or Street Trading legislation.  The General Licensing Team is located in the Council Premises Management Delivery Unit which encompasses Environmental Health, Licensing and Trading Standards. 

The processing of the following licensing regimes is managed by the General Licensing Team.  Depending on the requirement of the licensing regime the team will consult the relevant Team, Department, Agency or the general public relating to the applications received.

Animal Conservation, Welfare and Safety

The Council is responsible for licensing premises and people, who keep, take care of, sell, perform or display animals.  These licence/registrations are listed below.  To view information or to apply for a licence/permission please click on the relevant regime.

• Animal Boarding Establishment Licences
• Dangerous Wild Animal Licences
• Performing Animal Registrations
• Pet Shop Licences
• Riding Establishments
• Zoo Licences

The Council has authorised Animal Welfare Officers and Veterinary Surgeons to carryout animal welfare related inspections on these premises.  In addition to these officers the Councils Environmental Health Officers will also inspect premises to ensure that they are suitable for purpose.

Approved Premises for Civil Marriages and Civil Partnerships

The Council issues approvals for Civil Marriage and Civil Partnership venues.  The council will ensure prior to issuing an approval that the premises meets the required standards in safety and that it is fit to hold marriages or partnerships.  To view further information on this permission or to apply for an approval please click here.

Auction Premises

All premises that are holding sales by competitive bidding have to be registered, as required by the GLC (General Powers Act) 1984.  The registration for an Auction Premises is a one-off application and there is no annual fee payable.  To find out further information relating to this registration scheme or to apply to be registered please click here. 

Caravan and Camping Sites

To operate a caravan site you must obtain a licence under the Caravan Sites and Control of Development Act 1960 from the Council.  The Council will not grant a licence for a site until the relevant planning permission has been granted.  If you wish to operate a campsite within Westminster you must obtain a campsite licence under the provisions of the Public Health Act 1936. 

For further information relating caravan and campsite licences or to apply for a licence please click on the relevant licence type below.

• Caravan and Camp Site Licences.
• Camp Site Licences.

Explosives, Fireworks and Ammunition

Under the Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005 and the Fireworks Regulations 2004 the Council is responsible for the registration and licensing of persons who store or sell fireworks or small arms ammunition (gun cartridges) at premises within Westminster's area.

To find out further information relating to the storage of Explosives, Fireworks and Ammunition or to apply to be registered or licensed please click here.

Hypnotism Performances

Under the provisions of the Hypnotism Act 1952 as amended any person giving an exhibition, demonstration or performance of Hypnotism on any person or in connection with entertainment to which the public are admitted whether by payment or otherwise is required to obtain authorisation from the Council by way of consent.

To find out further information relating to the requirements for the performance of hypnotism or to apply for permission please click here.

Massage and Special Treatment

Under the London Local Authorities Act 1991 all premises that permit the facilities for massage or special treatments require a licence from the Council.  The Council also runs a registration scheme for therapists who carryout special treatments at a licensed premises. 

To find out further information relating to this licensing regime and registration scheme or if you wish to apply for a licence or to be registered please click the relevant application type below.

• Massage and Special Treatment Premises
• Massage and Special Treatment Therapist Registration   

Motor Salvage and Scrap Metal dealers

Any person carrying out a business that is involved in whole or in part in the recovery, purchase, repair or re-sale of written off vehicles or salvageable parts from motor vehicles must be registered as a Motor Salvage Operator and any person the wholly or partly carries out a business buying and selling scrap must be registered with the Council as a Scrap Metal Dealer.    

To find out further information relating to these registration schemes or to apply to be registered please click on the relevant regime below.

• Motor Salvage Operators Registration
• Scrap Metal Dealers Registration.

Pleasure Boats

Any person, who wishes to be in charge of or navigate a pleasure boat/vessel for the purpose of letting it out for hire to members of the public or to be used for carrying passengers for hire, must obtain licences from the Local Authority.

To find out further information relating to this licensing regime or to apply for a licence please click here.

Poisons

The sale of poisons is controlled by the Poisons Act 1972.  The Act sets out under Part 2 a list of poisons that cannot be sold unless the person is registered to do so by the Council.  To find out further information in relation to this registration or to apply for a registration to sell poisons please click here.

Safety at Sports Grounds

The Council is responsible for issuing Safety Certificates for Sports Grounds and Regulated Stands within them.  To view further information on this regime or to apply for a certificate please click on the relevant certificate below.

• Safety Certificates for Sports Grounds

• Safety Certificates for Regulated Stands at Sports Grounds

Sex Establishments

Under the provisions of the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 1982  sex establishments are required to obtain a licence from the Council.  Sex establishments are defined as a Sex Shop, Sex Cinemas, Hostess Bars and Sexual Entertainment Venues.  Sex Establishment licences are subject to the Council's policy relating to location and a limit on numbers.

To find out further information relating to sex establishments or to apply for a licence please click here.

Weighbridge Operators

A public weighbridge is, as the name suggests, a weighbridge that is available for the public to use.  Operators of public weighbridges need to hold a certificate of competence issued by the Chief Inspector of Weights and Measures. This ensures that they can perform their duties competently and honestly and can be obtained after performing a basic test. No one can operate public weighing equipment unless he or she holds a certificate.

At present there are no public weighbridges in Westminster.  If you wish to find out further information relating to this licensing regime or wish to apply for a licence please click here.

Other Licences or Permissions Managed by Other Departments or External Agencies.

Please select the appropriate link from the list below for information about the following licences:

Door Supervisors, Security Guards, Clampers and Investigators

These licences are issued and enforced by the Security Industry Authority.

Food Safety Registration

This is handled by the Environmental Health Food Team (a part of Westminster City Council).

Gambling - Operators Licence

These licences are issued and enforced by the Gambling Commission.

Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) Licences

These licences are issued by the Environmental Health Residential Team (a part of Westminster City Council).

Mail Collection/Forwarding Business Registration

These registrations are handled by Trading Standards (a part of Westminster City Council).

Storage of Petroleum

These are handled and dealt with by the London Fire Brigade.

Skips/Scaffolding/Hoarding/Gantry/Vault Bridge/Temporary Crossing/Storage of Materials

This is handled by Highways Licensing (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.

Street Parking Permits

This is handled by Parking (a part of Westminster City Council).