Licensing
Fireworks safety
The Manufacture and Storage of Explosives Regulations 2005, was introduced to make fireworks safer, less noisy, tackle misuse and that they can only be let off at certain times.
This new legislation not only affects how fireworks are imported, sold and used, it also makes restrictions on who can store it and possess it. This means that retailers and consumers have new responsibilities.
Under these new regulations which replaces the Explosives Act 1875 (as Amended), if you sell or store explosives such as fireworks, airbag detonators, toy caps and nail gun charges you have to be registered or licensed by us.
The new rules now relate to the quantity and distance around where the fireworks are being stored, for example, new requirements now take into account the distances that must be maintained from pedestrian and traffic routes and the amount of fireworks stored will now depend on the size of the floor area of the sales area.
Hazard types
Another major change to regulations is the hazard type of explosives being stored. There are 4 categories of hazard type, with the most hazardous classified as 1 and the least hazardous classified as 4.
When can fireworks be sold?
Fireworks can be sold all the year round providing the seller is licensed to do so otherwise the business can just register to sell fireworks for set seasonal times only. These are:
- 5th November (15th October to 10th November)
- New Year (26th to 31st December)
- Chinese New Year (4 days before, including the day of Chinese New Year)
- Diwali (4 days before, including Diwali)
Will I need to register or obtain a licence?
The registration or licence is now granted to a person or a company and not to the premises.
Retailers will have to register with us if they are storing quantities less than 250kg (Net Explosive Quantity (NEQ). For quantities greater than 250kg they will have to apply for a licence.
The sale of fireworks all year round
In addition to this traders who want to sell fireworks and explosives all year round must apply for a licence that allow you do so at a cost of £500.
Applying for a Registration or Licence Certificate
To register or obtain a licence with us you must complete an application form.
Officers from Environmental and Enforcement Services may visit your premises before granting your registration or licence.
As part of the application process, retailers must provide a floor plan and carry out a risk assessment of their premises.
Cost of licences
Plus code to be quoted when paying.
- Mixed Explosive under 250g Grant - £100 (Code: ED85.9417EL4)
- Mixed Explosive under 250g Renewal - £50 (Code: ED85.9417EL4)
- Storage of Explosive over 250g Grant - £170 (Code: ED85.9417EL4)
- Storage of Explosive over 250g Renewal - £80 (Code: ED85.9417EL4)
- All year round licence - £500 (Code: ED85.9417EL4)
No VAT is payable on these fees.
You will require registration by the council if you store up to:
- (a) 30 kilograms of explosives of any hazard type
- (b) 100 kilograms of hazard type 3 explosives
- (c) 100 kilograms of combination of hazard type 3 explosives with explosives of hazard type 4
- (d) 250 kilograms of hazard type 4 explosives; or
- (e) 250 kilograms of small arms ammunition and percussion caps and 30 kilograms of shooters' powder
For further information relating to fireworks storage please visit the Health and Safety Executive website.
Application for Registration and Storage Licence 
PDF 1.38M
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Guidance to applicants for a licence or registration
Offers guidance to applicants on how to complete their application forms.
Guidance to applicants for a licence or registration from a local licensing authority or the police|
Risk assessment checklist
Retailers are advised how to carry out a risk assessment and plan what actions they need to take to protect the safety of staff and customers.
Fireworks in shops: Retailers' risk assessment checklist PDF 92K
Information leaflet by the Health and Safety Executive.
Storing and selling fireworks safely
Advice for anyone selling fireworks.
Storing and selling fireworks safely PDF 253K
Information leaflet by the Health and Safety Executive.
Costs
The Health and Safety Executive have introduced new fees for Local Authorities to register and licence retailers to sell fireworks and other explosives from 1-3 years.
Penalties
Shops must register or obtain a licence to be allowed to store fireworks for sale. If retailers do not register or apply for a licence, they can be fined up to £5,000 or given a prison sentence of up to 6 months.
All fireworks sold must conform to British Safety Standards and meet certain noise conditions. They must have BS 7114 printed on the box.
It is illegal for retailers to sell caps, cracker snaps, novelty matches, party poppers, serpents and throw downs to anyone who is 16 and to sell all other fireworks to anyone who is under 18.
Under age sales
It is illegal to sell adult fireworks or sparklers to anyone under the age of 18 and for anyone under the age of 18 to possess fireworks in a public place.
Sellers are strongly advised to seek the proof of age of any buyer who looks under 21.
If a business is not registered or licensed they can be heavily fined and could be prosecuted.
Recommended proof of age include:
- Drivers licence with photograph
- Citizencard
- Portman card
- Validate card
Storing fireworks
In public areas, only 50kg of explosives can be kept on display on the premises. The rest must be stored elsewhere or in a different secure storage area.
In public areas, explosives must be either within glass showcases, wooden or metal boxes, cupboards or drawers. All should be out of the reach of the public and lockable.
No live fireworks must be kept within the shop window, however dummy displays are permitted.
All registered premises will be subject to inspection visits by Trading Standards, Health and Safety and the Fire Service.
