Explosives storage licence - how to apply
To apply for an explosives storage licence (whether it’s a new licence or renewal), please complete the following steps:
Step 1: Complete ER1 form and send it with your plans
You can complete the ER1 form in two ways:
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Download and complete the ER1 form below on your computer (not suitable for completing on a phone). Email the completed form together with any site plan and building floor plan to trading.standards@cambridgeshire.gov.uk or
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Print the ER1 form (PDF version) below and complete by hand and post it, together with site plan and building floor plan, to:
Cambridgeshire Trading Standards PO Box 450 Great Cambourne Cambridge CB23 6ZR
To complete the ER1 form you will need:
- your Company Number (if you are a limited company)
- national insurance number (if you are an individual)
- details on the categories of fireworks you are storing and their weight.
You site plan(s) must be to a scale sufficient to show the:
- location of the site in relation to its surroundings
- site boundary
- internal and external storage locations.
Your floor plan must show the sales area if you intend to store or display more than 12.5kg of fireworks on a shop floor.
If you are renewing a licence, you are only required to re-submit these documents if anything has changed since the licence was granted or last renewed. This includes changes to the site usage, layout, explosives storage locations, or the proximity of protected places to the stores.
Step 2: Make payment for your licence when you apply
At the time of submitting your application you will also need to make payment for your licence. Licence fees can be viewed on our fees and charges page. We take payments via an online form below. If you are a new applicant, please use your site postcode as your reference number. If you are renewing, you will need your renewal letter to hand so that you can refer to your licence number and premises ID. You can renew multiple premises on one payment form.
If you are unable to make payment using this method, please contact trading.standards@cambridgeshire.gov.uk.
Amending your storage licence
Small amendments to your existing licence can be made on request by emailing trading.standards@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. These are:
- change of licensee: Transferring the licence to another company or updating the licensee’s name
- change of licensee office address (not storage address - this requires a new application)
- change of contact details for a licensee
- change of storage location on site (for example moving cabinets or containers) – amended plans will need to be submitted with your email for such a change).
None of these materially affect the safety of what you are storing, but it is important your licence is up to date and accurate.
Once your request has been considered and we are able to proceed with amending your licence, you will be forwarded a link to a payment form to make payment. The link is also available below. The charge for any of the above amendments is £40.
If the quantity or hazard type of the explosives you store, or your storage or sales premises address is changing, you will need to submit a new application. You will be charged at the 'new application' rate.
This is necessary to ensure your licence remains compliant with the Explosives Regulations 2014 and reflects your current operations. Storing or selling explosives without a valid, up-to-date licence is an offence and may result in prosecution.
All-year round sales licences
A storage licence only enables you to sell within permitted periods of the year. These are:
(a) on the first day of the Chinese New Year and the three days immediately preceding it;
(b) on the day of Diwali and the three days immediately preceding it;
(c) during the period beginning on 15 October and ending on the 10 November;
(d) during the period beginning on 26 December and ending on the 31 December.
If you wish to sell fireworks at other times of the year, you will need an all year round sales licence.
How to apply and pay
To apply for a new all-year round sales licence, which allows you to sell outside the permitted period, please email trading.standards@cambridgeshire.gov.uk. If we are satisfied that the licensing requirements can be met and can proceed with issuing the licence, we will provide you with a licence number and premises ID. We will then ask you to pay the £500 licence fee using the payment link below.
If you already hold a licence, we will send you a renewal letter each year. The letter will include everything you need to renew your licence using the payment link below. You will receive an email confirmation of your request and payment. Your licence will be issued by email.
Report concerns about safe storage or sale of explosives and fireworks
If you have non-urgent concerns about the safe storage or sale of explosives or fireworks, or the sale of these items underage children, please report them to trading.standards@cambridgeshire.gov.uk
If the concern is urgent and you believe there is imminent danger, please call 999.
