The Alcohol & Gambling Licensing Sub-Committee of West Northamptonshire Council was scheduled to consider a review of a premises licence for Wellingborough Road Mini Market. The meeting was also set to discuss the potential exclusion of the press and public for certain agenda items.

Premises Licence Review: Wellingborough Road Mini Market

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application by Northamptonshire Police for a review of the premises licence for Wellingborough Road Mini Market, located at 347 Wellingborough Road, Northampton. This review was initiated on the grounds of failure to promote the licensing objective of the prevention of crime and disorder.

The report pack detailed two visits to the premises by West Northamptonshire Trading Standards officers, accompanied by Northamptonshire Police on the second visit. On 1 February 2026, a test purchase of cigarettes was conducted, and a male member of staff sold a packet of Lambert & Butler cigarettes for £5.00. The following day, a search of the premises uncovered 410 packets of cigarettes, 42 canisters of nitrous oxide, 267 unlawful single-use vapes, and 48 packs of hand-rolling tobacco.

The report indicated that the seized cigarettes and hand-rolling tobacco were not legal for sale in the UK due to non-compliance with the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016 and the Standardised Packaging of Tobacco Products Regulations 2015. These products also bore foreign labelling and were suspected to be non-duty paid. The sale of single-use vapes became a criminal offence on 1 June 2025 under the Environmental Protection (Single-use Vapes) (England) Regulations 2024. Nitrous oxide was noted as a Class C drug under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1971, requiring sale for a legitimate purpose and not for psychoactive consumption.

The current premises licence holder and designated premises supervisor is Mr Sivanesan Karalasinggam. The premises is licensed for the off-sales of alcohol, with operating hours detailed in the report. However, the report stated that the premises licence was suspended for non-payment of the annual licensing fee, and no alcohol was found on sale during the visits.

The report outlined the potential steps the sub-committee could take, including modifying licence conditions, excluding a licensable activity, removing the designated premises supervisor, suspending the licence for up to three months, or revoking the licence entirely. The report also referenced the Northampton Statement of Licensing Policy 2020-2026.

Exclusion of Press and Public

The agenda also included a provision for the potential exclusion of the press and public from the meeting for specific agenda items. This would be considered if the sub-committee resolved that exempt information, as defined by Schedule 12A of the Local Government Act 1972, would likely be disclosed. The recommendation was to exclude the public and press if the public interest in maintaining the exemption outweighed the public interest in disclosure.