Haringey Council Simplifies Massage and Special Treatment Licenses

Haringey Council is streamlining the process for massage and special treatment (MST) licenses, aiming to boost local businesses and simplify regulations.

The Licensing Committee convened on Monday 28 July 2025, to discuss revisions to the functions, fees, and conditions for MST licenses. The goal is to make it easier for businesses to start up and grow in the borough. The Licensing Service sought to simplify the process for applicants, update local regulations and guidelines, and update the fee structure, according to the Public Reports Pack.

To achieve this, the council is implementing a streamlined application process, as detailed in the Public Reports Pack. The Licensing Service is basing the functions on 'Class 1/2/3/4' activities to make the application processes less burdensome.

The Licensing Service categorises activities into 'Class 1/2/3/4', with 'Class 1' activities carrying an increased risk to public safety and requiring more officer involvement due to routine inspections and monitoring. These activities include tattooing, tanning, and lasers/intense pulsed light (IPL). Class 4 activities, such as manicures, pedicures, and facials, carry a lesser risk but still require inspections and monitoring.

In addition to premises licensing, individuals performing these treatments will need to register. The council is proposing minor changes to this process, clarifying that practitioners are registered rather than licensed .

Provisions exist for members of recognised professional bodies to be exempt from certain application requirements. New fees will be introduced for both exempt premises and exempt practitioners to recover costs associated with this activity. The new fee for exempt premises registration is £100. Previously, the Licensing Service has not charged any fee to persons seeking to register, and the new fee for exempt practitioner registration is £0.

The Licensing Committee is being asked to approve the fees and charges for 2025-26, as detailed in the Public Reports Pack. The updated processing functions and revised standard conditions will also be applied to each license.