The Licensing Sub-Committee convened to review the premises licence for Corby Europe Shop, and ultimately decided to revoke the licence. The review was prompted by concerns raised by Northamptonshire Police regarding the prevention of crime and disorder, specifically related to the sale of illicit tobacco products at the shop. Councillor Barbara Jenney was appointed Chair for the sub-committee.

Corby Europe Shop Licence Review

The sub-committee decided to revoke the premises licence for Corby Europe Shop, 62 George Street, Corby, NN17 1QE. The review was initiated following an application from Northamptonshire Police, citing concerns over the prevention of crime and disorder, as the shop was found to be selling illicit tobacco products.

Rita Groves, Licensing Enforcement Officer, presented a report to the sub-committee, outlining the request to review the premises licence under the Licensing Act 2003. The application to review the premises licence had been received from Northamptonshire Police on 28 May 2025. The police requested that the sub-committee consider revoking the licence on the grounds that the premises were managed in a way that undermined the prevention of crime and disorder, and that there was non-compliance with the Licensing Act 2003 regarding conditions.

On 24 April 2025, North Northamptonshire Trading Standards Officers visited the premises and seized illicit cigarettes and tobacco, which were found in a concealment behind the counter. PC David Bryan, representing Northamptonshire Police, told the sub-committee that Trading Standards officers had visited the premises to conduct a search regarding illicit tobacco. A member of staff had a 'fob' which opened a concealed cupboard behind the counter. Inside the cupboard, officers discovered 196 packets of cigarettes and 10 pouches of hand rolling tobacco. PC Bryan stated that the total amount seized, if sold at legal prices, would be £3516.

On 14 May 2025, police and trading standards officers visited the premises again and found the concealment was still intact, but empty. The incident book, a condition of the premises licence, had not been updated since October 2024, and only one Challenge 25 poster was displayed, while the licence required three.

PC Bryan argued that the sale of illicit products had strong links to serious organised crime and that the sub-committee should consider revoking the premises licence. He confirmed that there had been no complaints about the sale of counterfeit alcohol at the premises.

The sub-committee considered the Licensing Act 2003, the s182 Statutory Guidance, North Northamptonshire Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, the licensing objectives, the report from Rita Groves, and representations from Northamptonshire Police and Trading Standards.

The sub-committee agreed that the applicant had received notification of the hearing, but did not attend. They found that the concealed hide and seizure of illicit tobacco products undermined the objective of the prevention of crime and disorder under the Licensing Act 2003.

The sub-committee resolved that the licence should be revoked on the grounds that it was appropriate to do so for the promotion of the licensing objectives. The licence holder has 21 days to appeal this decision to the Magistrates Court.