The Alcohol & Gambling Licensing Sub-Committee of West Northamptonshire Council met to consider a premises licence review application for Sultan's Kitchen, and to decide whether to exclude the press and public from the meeting. The report pack includes an application for the review of a premises licence, and representations from Northamptonshire Police, the Council’s Environmental Health team, a member of the public, and Rochmills Property Ltd.

Here's a summary of the topics that were scheduled to be discussed.

Premises Licence Review: Sultan's Kitchen, 145 Wellingborough Road

The main item for discussion was a review of the premises licence for Sultan's Kitchen at 145 Wellingborough Road, Northampton. The application for review was submitted by Louise Faulkner, Licensing Manager at West Northamptonshire Council, citing concerns related to all four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.

The review application states that a premises licence was first granted for the premises in April 2016. The current premises licence holder is Sultans Kitchen 2023 Limited, with Michael Yilmaz and Ersan Karaoglan as directors. However, since the review application was submitted, an application to transfer the premises licence to Balkan Breeze Ltd, and an application to vary the designated premises supervisor, have been submitted.

The application alleges that the terraced area of Sultan’s Kitchen has been sub-let and a new structure erected, operating as a shisha lounge, restaurant and event business known as Bada Bing, separate from Sultan’s Kitchen. The report pack states that no applications to vary the premises licence for Sultan’s Kitchen, or for a premises licence in respect of Bada Bing, have ever been made.

The report pack notes that complaints were first received in May 2024, submitted by Northamptonshire Police on behalf of complainants, alleging public nuisance in the form of loud music, operating outside the licensable hours, and anti-social behaviour. The Licensing Authority have corresponded with Michael Yilmaz and Ersan Karaoglan, and have ascertained that Bada Bing has been sub-let to Sufiyan Ahmed.

The report pack includes copies of correspondence, photographs, and other documents related to the review application.

Louise Faulkner states that the purpose of the review application is to restore the premises to compliance with the original application and plan, in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003. She notes that the Licensing Authority have tried to work with the Licence Holders, but the premises is still continuing to operate outside of the original operating schedule/plan.

The report pack lists the options available to the sub-committee, which are to:

• 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

Louise Faulkner recommends that the Licensing Sub Committee consider the Revocation of the Premises Licence.

Appendix A of the report pack includes the application for the review of the premises licence, which provides further details on the grounds for review. It states that the premises licence and plan for PL1088 clearly shows a building with an external terraced area and does not detail the plan requirements that accurately reflect the fixed structure that has now been built on this area.

Appendix B of the report pack includes representations from various parties, including:

• The Environmental Protection Team, who support the revocation of the current premises licence.
• The Health Protection Team, who state that the business appears to have disregard for the requirements of the Health Act 2006 and has continued to offer shisha and permit smoking inside the premises.
• A local resident, who states that they have regularly experienced late-night noise disturbances from the venue.
• Northamptonshire Police, who can evidence that the Alcohol Licensing department has received 13 Licensed premise reports in total that date from the 7 January 2024 to the 16 March 2025.
• Rochmills Property Limited, who state that they are committed to ensuring the occupiers work with the Local Authority, Police and any other stakeholders to resolve the issues whilst allowing the property to still trade.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The agenda includes a recommendation that the sub-committee resolve to exclude the press and public from the meeting if members decide not to make a decision in public. This would be done under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972, if it is likely that exempt information would be disclosed.