Licensing & Registration

If you run an establishment for 'special treatments' in you will require a licence for your premises.

Special treatments include:

• massage
• laser treatments e.g. hair removal
• fish pedicures e.g. Garra Rufa fish
• electrodermograph treatments
• waxing
• colonic irrigation
• light treatments, eg sunbeds
• electric treatments, e.g. electolysis
• other special treatments, eg semi-permanent skin colouring, sauna or other bath treatments

In addition to any standard special treatment licence issued, additional separate licence applications will be required to cover laser treatments and fish pedicures.

Applications are made to the Council and are subject to fees, as follows:

• Any new licence - £120.00 for the first year or part thereof
• Any renewal - £60.00 per year

Conditions apply:

• standard conditions (PDF 23.3kB)
• additional conditions may apply - check with the issuing department.

All special treatment licences expire annually on 31 March.

These licences will be required in addition to any skin piercing, tattooing or acupuncture registration required under the Local Government (Miscellaneous Provisions) 1982.

Your application may be refused for one of the following reasons:

• the person applying for the licence is under 21 years of age
• the premises are not suitable
• the person who will manage the premises is deemed unsuitable to hold such a licence
• employees giving the treatments are not suitably qualified
• the safety of equipment is not satisfactory
• there is question as to the safety of the treatment being given
• you have been convicted of particular offences
• you fail to comply with any legal requirements

The council will take into account any responses from questions raised by the Council.

You will be given the opportunity to appeal if your application is refused.

• Apply for a massage and special treatment licence
• Tell us about a change to your existing massage and special treatment premises

• Health and Safety Team
• Thurrock Council
• Civic Offices, New Road
• Grays
• Essex
• RM17 6SL

• Tel: 01375 652413
• Email: healthandsafety@thurrock.gov.uk

• British Association of Beauty Therapy and Cosmetology (BABTAC)
• Federation of Holistic Therapists (FHT)
• British Association of Skin Camouflage
• Society of Chiropodists and Podiatrists (SCP)

Please contact the Council in the first instance.

If you wish to appeal against a decision of the county council or local authority you may do so to the local Magistrates' Court. Appeals must be made within 21 days of the date you received notification of the decision in writing. Magistrates' court decisions can be appealed to the Crown Court.

Please contact the Council in the first instance.

If you wish to appeal against a decision of the county council or local authority you may do so to the local Magistrates' Court. Appeals must be made within 21 days of the date you received notification of the decision in writing. Magistrates' court decisions can be appealed to the Crown Court.

We would always advise that in the event of a complaint the first contact is made with the trader by you - preferably in the form a letter (with proof of delivery). If that has not worked, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.