K&C Council Rejects Alcohol Sales at Trejos Tacos During Carnival

Kensington and Chelsea Council has rejected a temporary event notice (TEN) application from Trejos Tacos, preventing the restaurant from selling alcohol during the Notting Hill Carnival. The decision follows objections from the Metropolitan Police and the Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance Team, who cited concerns about public safety, crime, and disorder.

The Licensing Sub-Committee convened on Thursday, 10 July 2025, to consider the application from Mr Armit Nathan of Trejos Tacos, located at 299-301 Portobello Road. Mr Nathan sought permission to sell alcohol for consumption on and off the premises, including the external forecourt, during the Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August 2025. The proposed hours for licensable activities were between 12:00 and 19:00, with a maximum of 40 individuals on the premises at any one time.

PC Tom Stewart, representing the Metropolitan Police, objected to the TEN based on the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. PC Stewart highlighted that the premises' existing licence contains a condition prohibiting licensable activities during the Notting Hill Carnival. Specifically, condition 24 of Trejos Tacos' existing license states: No licensable activities shall take place during the Sunday and Monday of Notting Hill Carnival when and if the Notting Hill Carnival takes place.

PC Stewart highlights that the proposed alcohol sales, including from an external bar on the forecourt of 301 Portobello Road, are not in alignment with the event's safety planning. He raises particular concerns about the lack of a clearly defined and confirmed plan for the alcohol sales area, as well as the potential for increased congestion and crowding along an already dense section of Portobello Road between the Westway and Oxford Gardens.

Mr Philip Richardson, representing the Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance Team, also objected to the TEN, citing concerns about public nuisance and public safety. Mr Richardson raised concerns about the lack of a risk assessment detailing how risks would be managed. He also noted the location's position on a congested section of Portobello Road, stating that allowing the TEN would likely worsen congestion by attracting crowds and disrupting pedestrian flow.

The Licensing Sub-Committee was presented with several options, including issuing a counter notice, taking no action, or imposing conditions from the existing premises licence. Relevant extracts from the council's statement of licensing policy were included in the public reports pack, outlining the four licensing objectives and specific policies related to temporary event notices and the Notting Hill Carnival.

The extracts included the four licensing objectives¹, information on temporary event notices, significant/major events, and the Notting Hill Carnival.

The sub-committee ultimately decided to issue a counter notice, effectively rejecting the TEN application and preventing Trejos Tacos from selling alcohol during the Notting Hill Carnival. This decision was made in consideration of the objections raised by the Metropolitan Police and the Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance Team, with the aim of promoting public safety and preventing crime and disorder during the event.

The decision aligns with the council's licensing policy for significant events like the Notting Hill Carnival, which prioritises public safety and aims to minimise potential risks associated with alcohol sales in crowded areas. If Trejos Tacos attempts to sell alcohol during the Notting Hill Carnival without the proper license, and the number of people on the premises exceeds 499, the licensable activities would be unlawful and the premises user would be liable to prosecution. The agenda frontsheet and supporting documents, including Appendix A - TEN_Redacted 2, Appendix B - Prem Lic_Redacted, Appendix C - Police Rep, and Appendix D - Nosie Rep, provided detailed information for the sub-committee's consideration.