Licences and permits
The permissions a business needs before it can trade — each one tied to the law that creates it, or to a plain statement that no national statute does, and to the body that issues it. We point at GOV.UK for fees and forms; we never copy them.
9 of 41 licences · 9 with a named enabling instrument · 8 issued by a council
Narrow it down
Pick the activity you are asking about, and the nation you trade in. A licence can exist in one nation and not the next, so both matter.
What you do
Where you trade
Who issues it
Most business licences are issued by the council for the area you trade in — the licensing authority — under powers Parliament gave it. A small number are issued by a national regulator instead, and go to that body wherever you are.
Issued by a national regulator, not your council
1 licence on this list has no national enabling statute behind it — the regime is council byelaws or a local Act, or a statute that reaches only part of the area. Those pages say so plainly rather than citing something that does not apply to you.
Advertising and marketing
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Arts and recreation
9
Busking licence (England and Wales)
You may need a busking licence or permit from the council before busking in that area. Find out the council's rules on busking and …
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Club premises certificate
Apply for a club premises certificate through your council if you're a social, sporting or political members club and you want to do activities …
Hypnotism permit (England, Scotland and Wales)
You must hold a permit to stage a public performance of hypnotism for entertainment purposes in England, Wales and Scotland - learn how to …
Licences to use music online or on mobile technology
You may need a licence to use copyright music online or on mobiles
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Permission to place tables and chairs on the pavement
Get a licence to place furniture on the pavement in England and Wales - how to apply, restrictions, fines, penalties
Sex shop and cinema licence (England and Wales)
Contact your council for a sex establishment licence if you want to run a sex shop or adult cinema
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Beauty, hairdressing, nails and spa treatments
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Building and construction
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Charity and community
2
Club premises certificate
Apply for a club premises certificate through your council if you're a social, sporting or political members club and you want to do activities …
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Cleaning
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Driving and motor vehicles
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Education, including tutoring and training
2
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Events
5
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Hypnotism permit (England, Scotland and Wales)
You must hold a permit to stage a public performance of hypnotism for entertainment purposes in England, Wales and Scotland - learn how to …
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Permission to place tables and chairs on the pavement
Get a licence to place furniture on the pavement in England and Wales - how to apply, restrictions, fines, penalties
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Finance, insurance and insolvency
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Gambling and betting, including arcades, bingo and racing
2
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Hospitality, restaurants, bars and catering
4
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Permission to place tables and chairs on the pavement
Get a licence to place furniture on the pavement in England and Wales - how to apply, restrictions, fines, penalties
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Legal services
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Media and broadcasting
3
Licences to use music online or on mobile technology
You may need a licence to use copyright music online or on mobiles
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Sex shop and cinema licence (England and Wales)
Contact your council for a sex establishment licence if you want to run a sex shop or adult cinema
Retail: manufacturing and wholesale
1
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Sports
1
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Street trading and markets
1
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Tattooing, piercing and electrolysis
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Telecommunications, technology and information services
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Tourist accommodation, including hotels and campsites
3
Child work permit (England and Wales)
To employ a child in the UK, you may need to get a work permit from your local authority
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Temporary Events Notice (England and Wales)
You need a Temporary Event Notice if you want to carry out a 'licensable activity' on unlicensed premises in England or Wales
Veterinary
1
Pavement or street display licence (England and Wales)
Get a licence to put an advertising sign on the road or pavement in England and Wales - restrictions, fines, penalties
Checking approvals more broadly?
A licence is one of several things you may need before your first day of trading. The pre-trading quick check walks the registrations, insurances and approvals alongside it.
Not sure which of these apply to you?
Our guides on finding a licence and dealing with your local council walk through the questions that decide it.