Applying to store explosives
If you want to store up to 2,000 kilograms of fireworks, you will need to apply for a licence from the council. If you wish to store more, you will need to seek advice from the Health and Safety Executive
Guidance notes
Guidance on explosive storage and sale is available from the Health and Safety Executive website.
- Guidance on Explosives Regulations - Safety Provisions (Health and Safety Executive)
- Guidance on Explosives Regulations - Security Provisions (Health and Safety Executive)
- Guidance on storing and selling fireworks (Health and Safety Executive)
- Explosives Regulations 2014 (Legislation UK website)
Application fees
Fees are set annually in legislation and will depend on the type of licence you apply for, the period of licence granted (1-5 years) and the quantity of explosives you intend to store
New licence
1 Year | 2 Years | 3 Years | 4 Years | 5 Years | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 250kg | £ 119 | £ 154 | £ 190 | £ 226 | £ 260 |
250kg – 2000kg | £ 202 | £ 266 | £ 333 | £ 409 | £ 463 |
Renewal of existing licence
1 Year | 2 Years | 3 Years | 4 Years | 5 Years | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Under 250kg | £ 59 | £ 94 | £ 132 | £ 166 | £ 202 |
250kg – 2000kg | £ 94 | £ 161 | £ 226 | £ 291 | £ 357 |
Other fees
Varying name of licensee or address of site | £ 40 |
Transfer of licence | £ 40 |
Replacement of licence | £ 40 |
All year round sales licence | £ 525 |
How to apply
Complete the licence application form
Payment can be made over the phone by calling 02085453025 Monday – Friday 9am – 5pm, please use your licence number or premises address as the reference.
Please make payment prior to submitting your application; you will need to tell us the period of licence requested AND the quantity to be stored
Please ensure you send a copy of your receipt along with your application, premise plan and risk assessment as required to trading.standards@merton.gov.uk
What happens next?
If we are satisfied with your application, we will register you. We will not normally visit your premises before granting a registration.
This registration runs until 30 September of each year, so you need to renew your registration when it expires if you want to continue to sell fireworks
Selling fireworks all your round
Generally, you can only sell fireworks to the public during the following designated periods:
- 15 October to 10 November
- 26 December to 31 December
- on the first day of the Chinese New Year and the three days immediately preceding it, and
- on the day of Diwali and the three days immediately preceding it
If you want to sell fireworks at any other time contact us to obtain an annual fireworks sellers' licence in addition to the storage licence