The Alcohol & Gambling Licensing Sub-Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met to discuss a premises licence review application for Mini Europe Food Plus / Vistula Sklep. The application was submitted by Northamptonshire Police, citing concerns over the prevention of crime and disorder and the protection of children from harm. The sub-committee was scheduled to consider the application and determine the appropriate steps to take, as required by section 52 of the Licensing Act 2003¹.

Premises Licence Review: Mini Europe Food Plus / Vistula Sklep

The sub-committee was scheduled to review the premises licence for Mini Europe Food Plus / Vistula Sklep, located at 83 St. Leonard Road, Northampton. The review application was submitted by Police Constable Leanne Laren of Northamptonshire Police, acting on behalf of the Chief Officer of Police, Mr Balhatchet, and was based on the grounds of failure to uphold the licensing objectives of the prevention of crime and disorder, and the protection of children from harm.

The application stemmed from two inspections conducted at the premises on 12 and 20 March 2025, by West Northamptonshire Council Trading Standards officers and Northamptonshire Police. During these inspections, a significant quantity of allegedly illicit tobacco products and vapes were discovered in a concealed hide within the store room. According to the report pack:

On 20 March 2025, 462 packets of 20 cigarettes were allegedly discovered in a concealed hide in the store room area, along with 23 pouches containing 50g of hand rolling tobacco and 158 vapes. It is alleged that none of the tobacco products bore an excise duty-paid fiscal mark as required by law and as such must have been smuggled into the UK.

The premises is currently licensed for the sale by retail of alcohol (off the premises only) between 08:00 and 23:00, Monday to Sunday. The premises licence holder and designated premises supervisor (DPS) is Mrs Anna Kantoch, who also holds a personal licence issued by West Northamptonshire Council.

The report pack outlined the following options available to the sub-committee:

• Modify the conditions of the licence
• Exclude a licensable activity from the licence
• Remove the designated premises supervisor
• Suspend the premises licence for a period not exceeding 3 months
• Revoke the licence

The report pack also included witness statements from Jack Coventry, West Northants Licensing Enforcement Officer, and Glenda Adams, West Northamptonshire Council Trading Standards Officer, providing further details of the inspections and alleged breaches of licensing conditions.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider whether to exclude the press and public from the meeting during the discussion of specific items. This recommendation was based on Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, which allows for the exclusion of the public and press if exempt information is likely to be disclosed.