Fireworks (explosives) storage licence

If you want to store up to 2,000kg of fireworks or explosives, you must apply for a fireworks (explosives) storage licence.

If you want to store over 2,000kg of fireworks or explosives, you need to apply for a different licence through the Health and Safety Executive

Before you apply

You need to read and understand the requirements set out on this page before you submit an application for a licence. We cannot proceed with your application unless you give us all the information we need.

The licence allows you to store fireworks all year. However, you can only sell fireworks in the following periods:

• 15 October to 10 November
• 26 December to 31 December
• on the 1st day of the Chinese New Year and the 3 days immediately preceding it
• on the day of Diwali and the 3 days immediately preceding it

If you want to supply fireworks outside of these permitted periods, you will also need to apply for an all-year licence.

Warning You must apply for both licences if you want to sell fireworks all year.

Eligibility criteria

To be eligible for a fireworks storage licence, you must prove that you meet the following criteria:

• The proposed fireworks storage or manufacturing site must be suitable
• The applicant must be a fit person to manufacture or store explosives

Fees and prices

Select a topic below to find out the prices of fireworks storage licences.

Licence to store fireworks (explosives)

No minimum separation distance

Fee	Price
New application fee	£111
Renewal fee	£55

Minimum separation distance greater than 0 metres

Fee	Price
New application fee	£189
Renewal fee	£88

You can find more information and further fees on Gov.uk.

Licence to expose or supply fireworks all year

All-year fireworks storage licence

Fee	Price
New application fee	£377
Maintenance fee	£6
Renewal fee	£37

Other charges

Other charges

Fee	Price
Variation fee	£37
Transfer fee	£37
Replacement fee	£37

Duration

Generally, we offer fireworks licences for 1 year.

However, we may grant licences for fireworks and other explosives that do not require an explosive certificate for up to 5 years.

How to apply

You can submit an application using our online form:

Further information

Select a topic below to find out more about fireworks (explosives) licences:

The application process

Once we receive your application, we will consult with the Health and Safety Officer before we issue a licence.

Evaluation

We will refuse an application for a licence if we believe that:

• the proposed site is unsuitable
• the applicant is not a fit person to manufacture or store explosives

Tacit consent does not apply. If you have not heard from the local authority within a reasonable period, please contact licensing@bathnes.gov.uk

Appeals

If you want to appeal a permit rejection, please contact us by email at licensing@bathnes.gov.uk

Conditions

We will attach conditions to the licence to cover the following details:

• Enclosures and containers used to store fireworks must be constructed so as to resist fire for a minimum of 30 minutes.
• Enclosures and containers used to store fireworks must be kept locked and a robust system must be in place to ensure only authorised persons over the age of 18 can access the fireworks.
• The areas around firework stores must be kept clear of other flammable or combustible materials.
• Fireworks which are not on display must be kept in their transportation boxes and resealed when opened.
• Fireworks stores should not be located on fire exit routes.
• Suitable fire detection and fighting equipment must be provided as determined by a suitable and sufficient fire risk assessment.
• Robust procedures must be in place to ensure that fireworks are not sold to persons under 18 years of age.
• Fireworks must be stored in accordance with the conditions listed above and in accordance with the floor plans submitted with the application.

Additional conditions attached to each licence are specific to each site.

Complaints

If you want to make a complaint about a person or business that sells fireworks, please report this to us using our online form.

Relevant legislation

The Explosives Regulations 2014

Fireworks Act 2003

Fireworks Regulations 2004

We have made the information on these web pages as comprehensive as possible.  However, in attempting to simplify the law, certain requirements have been omitted. Full details of what you must do are in the relevant legislation.

Laws can and do change. We must advise that only the Courts can give an authoritative opinion on statute law.