The Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel of Manchester Council met on Thursday 17 September 2026 to consider an application for interim steps for a summary review of the premises licence for Napoleons, located at 35 Bloom Street, Manchester, M1 3LY. The panel decided to suspend the premises licence with immediate effect pending a full hearing.

Suspension of Premises Licence for Napoleons

The most significant item discussed was the application by Greater Manchester Police (GMP) for interim steps concerning a summary review of the premises licence for Napoleons, 35 Bloom Street, Manchester, M1 3LY. The panel heard that GMP had become aware of a longstanding National Crime Agency (NCA) investigation involving the premises, its Premises Licence Holder (PLH), and Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS). This investigation related to the importation, attempted importation, and exportation of Class A and Class B drugs into and from the UK.

Specifically, the investigation, which began in December 2019, identified parcels sent from Europe containing significant quantities of MDMA and cannabis. One parcel addressed to a fictitious name at the Napoleons address contained 2.86kg of MDMA. Investigations revealed that these parcels were sent to addresses linked to or controlled by the PLH/DPS or other associated offenders. In total, approximately 25kg of Class A drugs were involved, with a seized value exceeding £1.8 million.

At a recent Crown Court trial, the PLH/DPS was found guilty of four offences: importation and supply of Class A controlled drugs, and importation and supply of Class B controlled drugs. The PLH/DPS was on remand awaiting sentencing at the time of the hearing.

The panel determined that the premises had been associated with serious crime and that the premises no longer had a licence holder able to be present due to being on remand. Consequently, the Hearing Panel decided to suspend the Premises Licence for Napoleons with immediate effect. This suspension will remain in place pending a full hearing scheduled for Monday 12 October 2026.

The manager of the premises attended the meeting, but was unable to make representations as the hearing had concluded and a decision had already been made by their arrival.

The report considered by the panel was the Interim Steps for Summary Review of a Premises Licence - Napoleons, 35 Bloom Street, Manchester, M1 3LY Agenda frontsheet 17th-Sep-2026 14.00 Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel.pdf. The full details of the meeting and its outcome are documented in the Printed minutes 17th-Sep-2026 14.00 Licensing Sub Committee Hearing Panel.pdf.