The North Northamptonshire Council Licensing Sub-Committee convened to review the premises licence for Sam's Xpress, located at 14 Victoria Road, Wellingborough. However, the licence had been surrendered by the holder, Mr Kanagaratnam Perinpanathan, during the consultation period. As a result, the sub-committee acknowledged the review application from Northamptonshire Police and noted that the premises licence had been surrendered, concluding that no further action was required.

Review of Sam's Xpress Premises Licence

The primary item on the agenda was the review of the premises licence for Sam's Xpress, initiated by Northamptonshire Police. The police application for review, submitted on 4 June 2025, cited concerns over the prevention of crime and disorder, specifically the sale and storage of illicit tobacco products at the premises.

According to the police, a visit to Sam's Xpress on 27 May 2025, in collaboration with North Northamptonshire Trading Standards, led to the discovery of a substantial quantity of illegal, duty-not-paid cigarettes and rolling tobacco concealed under the counter. The police noted that these products did not comply with standardised packaging regulations and lacked the required health warnings in English.

The police further argued that evading duty is a criminal offence that contravenes the Licensing Act 2003 objective of preventing crime and disorder. Their application called for the revocation of the licence, asserting that the premises were managed in a way that undermined the licensing objectives.

The police referenced Section 144 of the Licensing Act 2003, which makes it an offence to knowingly keep or allow to be kept on relevant premises any goods which have been imported without payment of duty or which have otherwise been unlawfully imported. They also cited the Section 182 Statutory Guidance to the Licensing Act 2003, which states that the sale or storage of smuggled tobacco and alcohol should be treated particularly seriously, and that licensing authorities should seriously consider revocation in the first instance when looking at such matters.

The police application stated:

The Chief Constable requests that the Licensing Sub-Committee of North Northamptonshire Council revoke the premises licence for 14 Victoria Road Wellingborough NN8 1HN.

However, Mr Kanagaratnam Perinpanathan surrendered the premises licence on 9 June 2025, during the consultation period, and it was accepted by the Licensing Authority. The sub-committee was asked to acknowledge the application for review from Northamptonshire Police and note that the premises licence had been surrendered.