Hypnotism Permit

What is a Hypnotism Permit?

If you are a performer and wish to show, demonstrate or perform acts of hypnotism for the purposes of entertainment in the Maidstone Borough, you must have an authorisation from Maidstone Borough Council. You must be over 18 years of age to apply for a Hypnotism Permit.

Maidstone Borough Council will not authorise acts of hypnotism in the street, or similar public places, where passers-by cannot be protected from unintentional exposure to the performance of hypnotism. This is for reasons of public safety and Overriding Public Interest.

Where hypnotism performances are to be held in places where public access is restricted, such as ticketed events at theatres, we may also apply other conditions to a licence. You must comply with any conditions attached.

Please apply in good time, as it takes 60 calendar days to process your application. You will not be able to perform without a valid Hypnotism Permit.

Please note, this permit does not relate to hypnotism for therapeutic purposes which is conducted privately on a one-to-one basis. Therapeutic hypnotism is not controlled by Maidstone Borough Council.

The procedures for the permitting of hypnotism performances are currently under review. Please be aware that they may change in the near future.

Legal Regulations

A copy of the legal regulations relating to hypnotism is available here.

What do I need before I apply?

Do you have Public Liability Insurance?

We must be satisfied that the level of Public Liability Insurance cover that you have for your act is reasonable, or we will be unable to grant your licence.

Your venue will be able to advise you on the level of Public Liability Insurance you need for your performance. This varies depending on the nature of the venue and the nature of your act. We need to see a copy of your insurance as part of your application.

Where were your last three performances?

You must provide us with details of the location and date of your past three performances, with full contact details for the venues. This information should be given in Section 6 of the application form (see below).

Anything else?

You must give a Health and Safety Advisory Notice before you begin your performance. We need to see a copy of this as part of your application. You should also have it available for inspection at the time of the performance(s).

All copies of documentation etc. can be uploaded electronically with your application form, or you can post them in to us. However, we cannot begin to process your application until all relevant details have been received.

How to apply

Please fill in the online application form. There is currently no fee for processing your application.

What happens next?

It takes 60 days to process a new Hypnotism Permit application, from the time that we receive all the relevant paperwork.

If you do not hear back from us after this time has expired, you can consider your application granted. However, the “clock” can stop if we need to ask you for any further information – so please stay in touch with us during the application period.

What happens if my application fails or I have a complaint?

In all circumstances, please contact us in the first instance if there is a problem with your licence or your application fails, using the details to the right of this page.

Maidstone Borough Council operates a complaints procedure. If you are unhappy with the service you have received, view the complaints procedure or make a complaint.

What if I want to complain about a performer?

If, as a permit-holder, you have a complaint or are concerned about the behaviour of someone else who holds a Hypnotism Permit, please contact us using the details to the right hand side of this page.

If you are a member of the audience who has a complaint about a permitted Hypnotist, we would advise that your first contact is made with the performer, or the venue, preferably in the form of a letter (with proof of delivery). If that does not work, if you are located in the UK, Consumer Direct will give you advice. From outside the UK contact the UK European Consumer Centre.