Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Registrations and Fireworks Licences

Licence summary

If you supply fireworks or manufacture or store explosives in the City of Westminster, you may require a licence or registration certificate from the Licensing Authority.

Eligibility Criteria

Fireworks Licence

Any of the following may apply for a licence to supply fireworks.

• applicants who are 18 years of age or over;
• applicants who hold either a licence under section 5 of the Explosives Act 1875(a) or a registration in accordance with section 21 of the Explosives Act 1875.

Applicants who wish to supply fireworks during the following periods are exempt from the requirement for a licence to supply fireworks; however, a Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Certificate will be required for the following periods (See below for further information on these registrations):

• on the first day of Chinese New Year and the three days immediately preceding it;
• on the day of Diwali and the three days immediately preceding it;
• during the period beginning on the 15th October and ending on the 10th November; or
• during the period beginning on the 26th December and ending on the 31st December.

Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Registration Certificate

There are no restrictions on who may apply for a licence or registration certificate to manufacture or store explosives (including fireworks).  However, any applicant will be evaluated to establish if they are fit and proper to be registered or licensed by the authority. 

A registration is required if a person proposes or intends to store explosives up to:

• 250kg of Hazard Type 4 explosives; or
• 100kg of a combination of Hazard Type 3 and 4 explosives; or
• 100kg of Hazard Type 3 explosives.

A licence will be required for storing larger quantities of explosives.  Storing quantities of over 2 tonnes of explosives requires a licence from the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).  Further information on these licences is available via the HSE website by clicking here.  If you intend to store fireworks or other explosives that total less than 5kg of explosives there is no need to register with the Council.

Note: The quantities referred to above refer to the 'Net Explosive Mass (NEM) - the quantity of explosive contained within the firework or other explosive container (ammunition, etc).  This is not the gross weight of the fireworks, ammunition or other container.

Further information on Firework Licences and Manufacture and Storage of Explosive Registration and licences are contained in the following Technical Note.

•  Selling and Storing Explosives (Fireworks and Small Arms Ammunition) Technical Note

Regulation Summary

A summary of the regulation relating to the supply of fireworks is available here.

A summary of the regulation relating to the manufacture and storage and of explosives is available here.

Application Evaluation Process

Applications must be sent to the Licensing Authority for the area where the premises are located.

Applications must be in a specific format and be accompanied by the required fee which is set by the Government every year via regulations.  The current fees are available here. 

Licence to supply fireworks:

The Licensing Authority must grant the application unless the applicant has committed an offence under one of the following:

• section 11 of the Fireworks Act 2003;
• sections 4, 5 or 32 of the Explosives Act 1875;
• section 12 of the Consumer Protection Act 1987 arising from a contravention of the Fireworks (Safety) Regulations 1997;
• the use, storage or keeping of fireworks under the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974.

The Licensing Authority will inform the applicant of its decision to grant or refuse the application.

Licence or registration certificate to manufacture or store explosives:

The Licensing Authority will grant a licence to manufacture or store explosives unless:

• the proposed site or any place in the site where the manufacture or storage of explosives is proposed to take place is unsuitable for manufacturing or storing the explosives; or
• the applicant is not a fit person to store or manufacture explosives.

The Licensing Authority may vary the licence or attach conditions in accordance with the regulations.

Where the Licensing Authority determines to refuse or vary a licence or registration to manufacture or store explosives, it will notify the applicant.

Will Tacit Consent Apply?

No - If an application is opposed. It is in the public interest that the authority must process your application before it can be granted. If you have not heard from the Licensing Authority within a reasonable period, please contact us.  If you have applied in writing or wish to contact the Licensing Authority via another method please telephone the Licensing hotline on 020 7641 8549 or email licensing.vsw1@westminster.gov.uk.

Apply

If you wish to apply for a licence or registration you can do so by downloading and completing the relevant form below.

• Apply for a licence to supply fireworks outside specified periods
• Apply for a licence or registration certificate to manufacture or store explosives

Once the forms are completed please post it with the required fee to:

Licensing Service, Westminster City Hall, 4th Floor West, 64 Victoria Street, London SW1E 6QP.

Register

A public register is available to view at the Council's Offices during normal office hours.  To make an appointment to view the register, please contact the Licensing Service on 020 7641 8549 or alternatively email generallicensing@westminster.gov.uk.

Failed Application Redress

Please contact the Licensing Authority in the first instance.

If an application for a licence to supply fireworks is refused the failed applicant can appeal.

Appeals are made to the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, 70 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AX within 28 days of notice of the decision.

If the application for a registration certificate for the manufacture or storage of explosives is refused, the failed applicant can appeal to the Secretary of State.

Licence Holder Redress

Please contact the Licensing Authority in the first instance.

If a licence to supply fireworks is revoked by the Licensing Authority, the licence holder may appeal.

Appeals are made to the City of Westminster Magistrates' Court, 70 Horseferry Road, London SW1P 2AX within 28 days of notice of the decision.

If a registration certificate for the manufacture or storage of explosives is revoked, the Registration certificate holder can appeal to the Secretary of State.

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). Alternatively, please contact the Council’s Health and Safety Team on 020 7641 1063 or email healthandsafety@westminster.gov.uk or the Trading Standards Team on 020 7641 1111 or email tradingstandards@westminster.gov.uk.

Other Redress

If you have a complaint regarding noise or pollution emanating from a premises which holds a riding establishment licence, please contact the Council’s Environmental Health Department.

Any complaints relating to the manner in which the application has been dealt with by the Council should be made in the usual way by clicking here.

Trade associations and other useful links

British Fireworks Association

National Consumer Fireworks Association

Department for Business Innovation & Skills Fireworks Safety Site

Health & Safety Executive - Explosives Site