Northampton restaurant not allowed to sell alcohol or play music at fashion event following past rape incident

Silhouette Afro Lounge & Restaurant on 18 Abington Square Northampton.
-Credit: (Image: Google Maps)


An unlicensed restaurant in the centre of Northampton has been told it won't be allowed to serve alcohol and have a DJ at an upcoming event, following concerns raised by police about a historic rape at the premises.

Silhouette Afro Lounge & Restaurant, on Abington Square, submitted a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) to West Northamptonshire Council (WNC) to ask for permission to host a 'fashion event' on October 18-20 for up to 70 people.

The venue does not have a license to sell alcohol or hold entertainment after it was revoked in 2022 due to a number of noise complaints and the rape of an underage customer on the premises.

Northamptonshire Police objected to the event due to take place later this month on the grounds that it could undermine the prevention of crime and disorder. The restaurant asked for a temporary pass to serve alcohol over the two-day event and host a DJ to play music until a later closing time of 4am.

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In June 2022 WNC decided to remove the venue's license after Northamptonshire Police raised a serious incident involving the rape of a 17-year-old girl at the venue.

It was noted that the men involved were regular visitors. Police also confirmed that the victim had been going to the premises for many months with friends where she was served alcohol.

According to a report during the police investigation into the incident, the owner Mr Oladipupo Hamilton was also accused of not cooperating fully with police to assist in identifying the suspects.

Both men, now aged 34 and 39, were unanimously found guilty at Northampton Crown Court in September. They are set to be sentenced on October 25, 2024.

Mr Hamilton told the licensing committee that it was the first event they were planning to hold in over two years. He said that since the incident measures had been put in place to ensure that noise pollution is reduced and access to the venue is well-secured.

He said: "We’re rebuilding learning from the past mistakes and making sure all the objectives are adhered to."

The WNC licensing committee decided that, on the balance probabilities, the only 'appropriate and proportionate step' to prevent crime and disorder would be to refuse the temporary event license.