FOI release

Sex establishment fees foi

Case reference FOI2026/00784

Received 22 July 2026

Published 19 August 2026

Request

For the purposes of completing a piece of academic research on sex establishment policy across English regions, I request to know the following information: 1) The number of sex establishments operating in this council's relevant localities as of July 2026. 2) If sex establishments are operating in the council's area, I would like to know how many, and what kind of sex establishment they are. 3) If none, I request verification as to how many licence applications have been refused, revoked, or surrendered since 2009. 4) I would also like to know (if this is the case), when the first sex establishment licences were granted following the adoption of c27 of the 2009 Act, or if all sex establishments in this council area operate on grandfathered rights. 5) If sex establishments operate continuously on grandfathered rights, is it the case that a licence is continuously granted, or in some cases so these establishments pay for a transfer when the licence expires, as this costs less? 6) I would also like confirmation/a quote of the cost for application to and grant of a sex establishment licence within this Council's remit- assume this is an initial application for a new establishment, not a renewal or transfer. Assume this establishment will be successful in its application and will open in an appropriate location. If there is cost variation depending on the type of sex establishment, please detail the cost breakdown according to different types of sex establishments (sex shops/ cinemas) or sexual entertainment venues/ hostess bars. If there are costs associated with the application process and being awarded a licence separately, or similar fees that compound during the process of obtaining a licence, please ensure to mention these.

Response

In accordance with section 1(1) of the Freedom of Information Act 2000 (FOIA), Oxford City Council (OCC) confirms that it holds information falling within the scope of your request. In accordance with section 1(1)(b), the information is provided below.

 

1) The number of sex establishments operating in this council's relevant localities as of July 2026.

 

One.

 

2) If sex establishments are operating in the council's area, I would like to know how many, and what kind of sex establishment they are.

 

One sex shop.

 

3) If none, I request verification as to how many licence applications have been refused, revoked, or surrendered since 2009.

 

Not applicable, as one sex establishment is operating within OCC’s area.

 

4) I would also like to know (if this is the case), when the first sex establishment licences were granted following the adoption of c27 of the 2009 Act, or if all sex establishments in this council area operate on grandfathered rights.

 

The first sexual entertainment venue licence was granted on 12 July 2011. This related to a lap-dancing venue.

 

5) If sex establishments operate continuously on grandfathered rights, is it the case that a licence is continuously granted, or in some cases so these establishments pay for a transfer when the licence expires, as this costs less?

 

A sex establishment licence is valid for 12 months. The licence holder must apply to renew the licence each year if they wish to continue operating. A transfer application relates to a change of licence holder and is not an alternative to renewal when a licence expires.

 

6) I would also like confirmation/a quote of the cost for application to and grant of a sex establishment licence within this Council's remit- assume this is an initial application for a new establishment, not a renewal or transfer. Assume this establishment will be successful in its application and will open in an appropriate location.

 

OCC’s current fees for an initial application are:

 

New sexual entertainment venue: £6,930.00

 

New sex shop or sex cinema licence: £2,954.00

 

The relevant fee is payable in full when the application is submitted. There is no separate OCC fee payable upon the subsequent grant of the licence.

 

OCC does not have a separate fee category for hostess bars. Where premises are licensable as a sexual entertainment venue, the sexual entertainment venue fee applies.

 

The applicant must also advertise the application in a local newspaper and display a site notice at the premises. Any associated advertising costs are additional, payable by the applicant and are not set by OCC.

 

If you disagree with any part of the response to your request, you are entitled to ask the Council for an internal review of the decision(s) made.  You may do this by writing to the Monitoring Officer, by either email monitoringofficer@oxford.gov.uk – or by post to Monitoring Officer, Oxford City Council, Town Hall, St Aldate’s, Oxford, OX1 1BX.  After the result of the internal review, if you remain dissatisfied, you may ask the Information Commissioner to intervene on your behalf.  You may do this by writing to the Information Commissioner's Office, Wycliffe Lane, Wilmslow, Cheshire, SK9 5AF.

 

Yours sincerely,

 

 

Freedom of Information Officer

Documents

There are no documents for this release.

This is Oxford City Council's response to a freedom of information (FOI) or environmental information regulations (EIR) request.

You can browse our other responses or make a new FOI request.