Brent Police have objected to a temporary event notice (TEN) application from One Stop Caribbean, a restaurant located at 17-19 High Street, Harlesden, NW10 4NE, seeking to extend its hours for alcohol sales and regulated entertainment during the August bank holiday weekend.
The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council met on Wednesday 30 July 2025, to consider the application by Ms Sophia Dixon for two TENs (references 35538 and 35539). According to document 3.3 TEN 35539, Ms. Dixon had previously given one temporary event notice in the same calendar year as TEN 35539. The existing premises licence allows late-night refreshment until midnight and alcohol sales until 11:30pm. Ms Dixon applied to extend the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment from 11pm to 2am on 22-23 August 2025 and 25-26 August 2025, with a maximum of 80 people present.
PC Phil Graves, Licensing Constable, submitted representations on behalf of the Metropolitan Police, objecting to both TENs. The police's concerns relate to the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The police warning letter from PC Brendon Mcinnes notes that the loud music attracted a huge crowd to gather outside the venue, resulting in traffic obstruction and a nuisance to residents. He stated that Within the crowd that gathered were many children which would have faced this risk.
According to the police reps, PC Graves stated that a TEN granted to the venue the previous year had been breached, and that police were refused entry to the premises, which he stated is an offence under section 179 of the Licensing Act 2003. He also stated that the High Street and Craven Park Road had been turned into a public order nightmare
during the Notting Hill Carnival weekend, with unregistered street trading, unauthorised sales of alcohol, unauthorised regulated entertainment and mass disorder.
PC Graves' representation stated that police and council officials were confronted with hostile crowds and had to retreat for safety reasons. He stated that gas cylinders were thrown at officers, and officers had to be pulled away from the Carnival to regain control. He stated that One Stop Caribbean was told to turn off their music, but that speakers were later placed outside the venue and the volume turned up again.
PC Graves stated that the police strongly opposed the TEN, regardless of any conditions that could be added, as all four of the licensing objectives would be severely under threat if authorised.
A police warning letter from PC Brendon Mcinnes to Ms Dixon, dated 3 September 2024, was included in the report pack. The letter stated that PC Mcinnes had attended the venue on 26 August 2024 due to a TEN application and complaints about loud music. He stated that none of the licensing objectives were being upheld, and that the loud music attracted a huge crowd, causing traffic obstruction and a nuisance to residents. He also stated that he was refused entry to the venue.
Ms Dixon responded to the police's objections, stating that the public order incident on 26 August 2024 was unrelated to One Stop Caribbean, and that the venue was overwhelmed by people seeking refuge or access after the police closed the surrounding area. She stated that the venue had ended its relationship with the security firm employed at the time, and that future TENs would be supported by a fully vetted security team. Ms. Dixon also stated that OSR has worked cooperatively with both the Police and Brent Council, and we are committed to continuing that relationship on a professional and transparent basis.
Ms Dixon stated that a subsequent TEN was granted and held on 13 December 2024 without any incident or police intervention, and that One Stop Caribbean had worked cooperatively with the police and Brent Council since then. She requested that the decision to oppose the TENs be reconsidered, and offered to meet with the Licensing Team to discuss an event management plan and any conditions that would ensure safety and compliance.
