The Alcohol & Gambling Licensing Sub-Committee of West Northamptonshire Council is scheduled to consider a review of a premises licence for Nasz Sklep. The meeting will also address the exclusion of the press and public for certain discussions.

Premises Licence Review for Nasz Sklep

A significant item on the agenda is the application for a review of the premises licence for Nasz Sklep, located at 10 Alexandra Terrace, Northampton, NN2 7SJ. This review has been initiated by Northamptonshire Police on the grounds of failure to promote the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.

The report pack details an incident on 1 February 2026, when investigators from West Northamptonshire Trading Standards, working with Northamptonshire Police, conducted a test purchase at the premises. During this operation, a staff member allegedly sold 20 Lambert & Butler cigarettes for £3.50. Following this, a search of the premises and associated vehicles reportedly uncovered a substantial quantity of illegal tobacco products. This included 1215 packets of cigarettes and 102 pouches of hand-rolling tobacco, with an estimated legitimate sale value of £23,316. The report indicates that these products were not legal for sale in the UK due to non-compliance with regulations regarding health warnings and standardised packaging, and were also suspected to be non-duty paid.

The report also outlines the potential steps the sub-committee can take, which include modifying licence conditions, excluding licensable activities, removing the designated premises supervisor, suspending the licence for up to three months, or revoking the licence entirely. The report highlights that decisions must be evidence-based, proportionate, and focused on promoting the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The report pack includes witness statements from investigators detailing their findings, as well as copies of the premises licence and the application for review. The Licensing Act 2003¹ governs the framework for these licensing objectives and the powers available to the sub-committee. The Northampton Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-2026² is also referenced as a key document guiding the decision-making process.

The sub-committee members for this meeting are Councillor Nigel Berrill, Councillor Adrian Cartwright, and Councillor Andrew Kilbride. Ed Bostock from Democratic Services is the contact for any queries regarding the agenda.