Police have objected to a temporary event notice (TEN) for the sale of alcohol at 50 Powis Square during the Notting Hill Carnival, citing concerns over crime, disorder, and public safety. The event's location within the Notting Hill Carnival 'footprint' means that the Licensing Authority will pay particular attention to the application, with the council aiming for a safe and enjoyable Carnival.
The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to consider the TEN submitted by Mr John Malcolm Thompson for an event on 24 and 25 August 2025. The application requests permission to sell alcohol off the premises, with a maximum of 499 people attending at any one time.
According to documents included in the Public Reports Pack, both the Metropolitan Police and the Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance team have lodged objections to the TEN. Their concerns are based on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and prevention of public nuisance.
The specific reasons for the police objection are that there was no confirmation that the Risk Assessment (RA) and Event Management Plan (EMP) had been approved and signed off by Notting Hill Carnival Limited (NHCL). While Mr. Thompson did submit a Risk Assessment and Event Management Plan as Appendix A of the Temporary Event Notice, the police require confirmation of NHCL approval.
PC Tom Stewart stated in his objection that:
The MPS believe that allowing the 'premises' to be used in accordance with the TEN will undermine the Prevention of Crime and Disorder and Public Safety licensing objectives. This is a notice of our Objection.
Mr Philip Richardson from the Noise and Nuisance Team echoed these concerns in his objection:
The Noise and Nuisance Team believe that allowing the TEN this will undermine the Prevention of Public Nuisance and Public Safety licensing objectives. This is a notice of our Objection to your TEN.
The Noise and Nuisance Team's objection also stems from the lack of confirmation that the RA and EMP have been seen, approved, and signed off by NHCL.
According to the Temporary Event Notice, the bar would be located to the left of 50 Powis Square, next to a pair of black gates attached to the adjacent building. The bar area was planned to be a 3x4.5 meter tent with an L-shaped serving counter. The intended offerings were Caribbean rum punch, fruit cocktail drinks, canned beers (mainly Red Stripe), spirits, mixers, and soft drinks.
The Public Reports Pack includes extracts from the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which outlines the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. The policy also states a preference for event organisers to give at least 28 days' notice for planned events, and in the case of events planned to take place within the Notting Hill Carnival 'footprint', at least 12 weeks' notice is recommended.
If the Licensing Sub-Committee does not issue a counter notice, they have the option to take no action and allow the notice to proceed. Alternatively, if the premises already holds a premises licence or club premises certificate, the committee can impose conditions from those existing licenses, provided they are consistent with the activities outlined in the temporary event notice.
The Licensing Sub-Committee is scheduled to convene on Tuesday 15 July 2025 to determine whether to issue a counter notice, take no action, or impose conditions.