The Alcohol & Gambling Licensing Sub-Committee of West Northamptonshire Council is scheduled to consider a new premises licence application for Encore, located at 34-38 Bridge Street, Northampton. The meeting will also address the exclusion of the press and public for certain agenda items.

New Premises Licence Application for Encore

The primary focus of the meeting is the consideration of a new premises licence application for Encore, located at 34-38 Bridge Street, Northampton, NN1 1PA. The application has been submitted by Nicky Morrison, with the venue described as a community hub/nightclub trying to revive the nightlife experience within Northampton.

The application seeks to permit a range of licensable activities, including indoor sporting events, live and recorded music, late-night refreshment, and the on-sales of alcohol. The proposed operating hours for these activities extend into the early morning, with Friday and Saturday nights potentially running until 04:00 and 05:00 respectively.

The report pack indicates that representations have been received from West Northamptonshire Council's Environmental Health department and from members of the public. The Environmental Health representation, detailed in Appendix C of the public reports pack¹, raises concerns regarding the prevention of public nuisance, citing a history of noise complaints from the premises. These complaints relate to loud amplified music, particularly low-frequency bass, and noise from customers in the alleyway. The report notes that officers from the Environmental Protection Team witnessed excessive noise disturbance that amounted to a statutory nuisance on the evening of 25th/26th April 2026. Abatement Notices have reportedly been served on the operator and associated companies.

The public representations, found in Appendix B of the public reports pack², also focus on noise pollution, with residents expressing concerns about loud music, vibrations, and disturbances late into the night. Some residents have reported sleepless nights and a significant impact on their daily lives and well-being.

The sub-committee will consider the application in accordance with the Licensing Act 2003³, 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 outlines several options for the sub-committee, including granting the licence with conditions, excluding certain licensable activities, refusing to specify a Designated Premises Supervisor (DPS), or rejecting the application entirely.

The meeting documents also include details of the applicant, Nicky Morrison, and the proposed operating schedule for Encore. The police have indicated an amendment to the operating schedule, as detailed in Appendix D of the public reports pack⁴.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The agenda also includes an item regarding the potential exclusion of the press and public from the meeting for specific business. This is a standard procedure under Section 100A of the Local Government Act 1972⁵ when it is likely that exempt information would be disclosed.