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Apply for a business licence

You need a licence to run most types of business.

How to apply

Complete your application form and send it to the address on the form. 

After you apply

There is a minimum consultation period of 28 days before applications are considered. This allows people to submit objections or representations before a decision is made. We'll contact you after this.

Available licences

Each licence has a number of conditions that you should read before applying.

Each form lists the fees. You can also check all our licensing fees.

Boat hire

There are two licences for boat hire, one applies to people on the shore and the other is for people in charge of taking people out on the water.

 

Markets and car boot sales

These can include antique and craft fairs, farmers markets and continental markets.

This licence is not needed for markets held by charitable , religious, political, youth and community groups or markets solely for livestock, fodder or grain.

 

Metal dealers

If you deal in or process metal you need a licence. If you do this door to door you need an itinerant metal dealers licence.

 

Non-domestic knife dealers

If you sell knives, blades or swords you need a licence, unless you're only selling domestic knives.

 

Second hand motor vehicle dealers

If you sell second hand motor vehicles you need a licence.

 

Sex shops

If you sell sex toys, books, films or other articles, you need a licence.

 

Sexual entertainment venues

All premises used for the purposes of sexual entertainment need a licence.

Skin piercing, tattooing, acupuncture and electrolysis

If you do skin piercing, tattooing, acupuncture or electrolysis, you need a licence.

Street trading

You need a licence to clean wheeled bins, or sell hot or cold food for immediate consumption on the street. 

Permission from the landowner or highways department and an inspection from our environmental health team is also required.

Betting and gaming


Read the gambling licencing fees

Small society lotteries

We grant licences for small society lotteries if ticket sales for one event do not exceed £20,000 and do not exceed £250,000 in one year.

Above these limits your society may need to be licensed with the Gambling Commission instead.

Window cleaners

If you are a window cleaner, or you run a business cleaning windows, you need a licence.

Public charitable collections

The collection organiser must apply at least one month before the date of the collection.

Exempt organisations do not require permission but should notify the Licensing Service of their intention to collect, giving dates and locations, at least three months in advance.

Find out more about charitable collections and exemptions