Apply for a licence to store or sell explosives and fireworks
If you intend to store, supply or sell explosives or fireworks from premises in Swindon, you may need one or more licences or authorisations.
The requirements are set out mainly in the Explosives Regulations 2014. The Fireworks Regulations 2004 also apply if you intend to sell fireworks outside the permitted periods.
The specific licence or authorisation you need will depend on:
- the type of explosives or fireworks involved
- the quantities you intend to store or supply
- the nature of your business
- how and when the products will be made available for sale or supply
If you intend to operate a business involving fireworks, you may need to consider two separate licensing requirements:
- an explosives storage licence
- a licence to sell fireworks outside the permitted periods
Explosives storage licence
You may need an explosives storage licence under the Explosives Regulations 2014 if you intend to store no more than 2,000kg of explosives at your premises.
The storage licence controls:
- where and how you store the explosives
- the maximum quantity you can store
If you want to store more than 2,000kg of explosives, you should apply to the Health and Safety Executive for a licence.
Depending on their classification, quantity and storage arrangements, explosives can include:
- fireworks
- vehicle airbags and seat-belt pretensioners
- marine distress flares and signalling devices
- certain pyrotechnic articles used for theatre, film or television
- certain industrial or commercial pyrotechnic articles
- certain small-arms ammunition, where firearms legislation does not regulate its acquisition
- other explosives classified as United Nations Hazard Class 1 that fall under our licensing responsibilities
Permitted periods for selling fireworks
The law restricts when fireworks may normally be supplied to the public.
The permitted periods are:
- 15 October to 10 November inclusive
- 26 December to 31 December inclusive
- the first day of Chinese New Year and the three days immediately before it
- the day of Diwali and the three days immediately before it
If you supply fireworks to the public outside these periods, you may need a licence under the Fireworks Regulations 2004.
Apply for an explosives storage licence
Download the explosives or fireworks storage licence application form (PDF).
Once you have submitted your application, a member of our team will contact you within ten working days.
How to pay
Pay for an explosives storage licence
Licence to sell fireworks outside the permitted periods
An explosives storage licence does not automatically authorise you to sell fireworks outside the permitted periods.
If you intend to sell or supply adult fireworks outside the periods permitted by the Fireworks Regulations 2004, you may need a separate licence to supply fireworks.
This is a separate licensing requirement from an explosives storage licence under the Explosives Regulations 2014.
Please note, an application for a fireworks sales licence does not count as an application for an explosives storage licence.
If you need both licences, you must submit a separate application for each one.
Apply to sell fireworks outside the permitted periods
Download the selling fireworks outside permitted periods application form (PDF).
Once you have submitted your application, a member of our team will contact you within ten working days.
How to pay
Pay for a licence to sell fireworks outside the permitted periods
Fees
New storage licence
| Licence duration | No separation distance (0 metres) | Separation distance greater than 0 metres |
|---|---|---|
| One year | £119 | £202 |
| Two years | £154 | £266 |
| Three years | £190 | £333 |
| Four years | £226 | £409 |
| Five years | £260 | £463 |
Renewal of a storage licence
| Licence duration | No separation distance (0 metres) | Separation distance greater than 0 metres |
|---|---|---|
| One year | £59 | £94 |
| Two years | £94 | £161 |
| Three years | £132 | £226 |
| Four years | £166 | £291 |
| Five years | £202 | £357 |
Variation or transfer of an existing storage licence
| Application | Fee |
|---|---|
| Change the licence holder's name or the address of the site | £40 |
| Any other variation | The reasonable cost to the licensing authority of carrying out the work |
| Transfer the licence | £40 |
| Replace a lost licence | £40 |
Further information
- Read Business Companion guidance on selling fireworks, including licensing, firework categories and age restrictions
- Read Health and Safety Executive guidance on explosives regulations
- Read Health and Safety Executive guidance on storing and selling fireworks
- Read the Explosives Regulations 2014
- Read the Pyrotechnic Articles (Safety) Regulations 2015
- Read the Fireworks Regulations 2004