MST premises licence

Drawing a scale plan

You need to include a scale plan in your MST premises licence application. It should be 1:100 scale and include the following information:

• all areas that the public or staff have access to in connection with the use of the premises
• floors above and below the proposed licensed areas and details of their use
• escape routes in full, internal and external, i.e. to the nearest public thoroughfare
• the layout or proposed layout of the premises

Time it takes to get an MST premises licence

It usually takes 6-8 weeks to get the final decision about your application for a new MST premises licence.

Cost of getting a MST premises licence

Details of the fees can be found in the guidance notes for applicants and are charged in two parts; Part A is submitted with the application, Part B is paid once the licence is ready to be issued.

Affix a notice to premises and newspaper notices

As soon as you have sent your MST premises licence application, you need to put up a notice on the premises.

• site notice

The text needs to be at least 16pt. This notice needs to be in a place that people can easily see and needs to be displayed for at least 28 days from the date the completed application is submitted.

You also need to have to an advertisement in a local Hackney newspaper within 7 working days of the completed application being submitted.

Download, print and send this form to one of the newspapers listed:

• newspaper advert

Objections to your MST premises licence application

The responsible authorities, as well as the general public, can object to your application during the 28 day notice period. We council will decide if the objection is valid or not.

Responding to objections

At the end of the 28 day notice period, you’ll have the chance to respond to any objections if any objections are received. It’s your responsibility to answer any questions. If you can’t agree, the application will be referred to a sub-committee for a decision.

Issuing your MST premises licence

If no objections are received, your application can be issued subject to the Council’s standard conditions. Any other specific conditions that may be recommended by the responsible authorities will also be included.

Once a licence is granted, it usually remains valid for 12 months.  You’ll be contacted to apply for renewal.

Site inspections

After you have applied, officers from the Council may visit your premises to carry out an inspection. It’s your duty to ensure all the matters in relation to the premises are maintained.

Documents that need to be kept on the premises to meet the conditions of your licence

If your application is approved, the following documents need to be available at all times on the premises for inspection:

• electrical installation certificates (dated within 5 years of application)
• a valid fire risk assessment for the premises (dated within 1 year of application)
• emergency lighting test certificate. (dated within 1 year of application)
• proof of public liability insurance (recommended minimum of £2,000,000)
• portable appliance test certificate (PAT Test) (dated within 1 year of application)
• fire extinguisher / hand fire equipment test certificate (dated within 1 year of application)
• fire alarm test certificate (dated within 1 year of application)
• gas safety certificate (if applicable) (dated within 1 year of application)
• trade waste agreement / waste transfer note (dated within 1 year of application)
• clinical waste agreement (if applicable) (dated within 1 year of application)

An MST premises licence requires renewing every year before it expires. You’ll be contacted to apply for a renewal.

• renewal application form
• guidance notes for applicants

To make an application you must submit:

• a completed application form
• the appropriate fee

If someone else is taking over the business, the licence will need to be transferred to them.

• transfer application form
• guidance notes for applicants

To make an application you must submit:

• a completed application form
• the appropriate fee

If the treatments, layout and / or the registered practitioners change, you will need to submit a variation.

• variation application form
• guidance notes for applicants

To make an application you must submit:

• a completed application form
• copies of all relevant registrations and qualification certificates for all operatives who will perform new treatments, where there are any changes from last year’s submission
• a floor plan (if applicable eg making changes to the layout of the premises)
• the appropriate fee

The exemption application is for members of accepted professional bodies that want to administer special treatments in the London Borough of Hackney.

• list of bodies of health practitioners granted exemption
• exempt premises application form
• guidance notes for applicants

To make an application you must submit:

• a completed application form
• copies of all relevant membership and qualification certificates for all operatives
• the appropriate fee

If you want to carry out MST activity from a premises for a shorter period of time or deliver MST activity at events/pop ups etc you need a temporary MST premises licence.

A temporary MST premises licence is valid for 3 months.

Please contact us on 020 8356 4970 Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm or email licensing@hackney.gov.uk to discuss your proposal.

If you change the name of your business, the registered company or you have changed your name as the licensee, you can request the changes be made to the MST premises licence.

When you add or remove the registered practitioners on your premises, you will also need to make these changes to the MST premises licence.

Please email licensing@hackney.gov.uk identifying the changes needed and we will get in touch with you.

• acupuncture
• artificial nail treatments
• body piercing
• cosmetic piercing
• electrolysis
• facial treatments
• fish pedicures
• laser IPL conditions
• manicure and pedicure
• massage treatments
• saunas and steam rooms
• spa pools
• spray tanning
• tattooing
• UV light treatments

If you believe an MST Premises may be operating without the correct permission please report it to the Council on 020 8356 4970 Monday to Friday: 9am to 5pm or email licensing@hackney.gov.uk

If possible, please provide the following information:

• name and address of the premises
• type of treatment(s) being provided
• the date and time you may have witnessed the activity
• your contact information as we may need to contact you for further information