Kensington and Chelsea Council Scrutinizes Carnival Event Applications, Prioritizing Public Safety

Kensington and Chelsea Council's Licensing Sub-Committee is scrutinising applications for temporary event notices (TENs) during the Notting Hill Carnival, highlighting the importance of adhering to the council's licensing policy and ensuring events align with the four licensing objectives, including the protection of children from harm. The council expects applicants to demonstrate how their proposed activity would support these objectives.

Two recent cases, involving Lord Gellys (Bar Site) and Subterania, underscore the council's commitment to ensuring public safety and preventing crime and disorder during the busy Carnival weekend.

Lord Gellys (Bar Site) Application Faces Objections

Mr Andrew Gelly's application for a TEN for Lord Gellys (Bar Site) on Cambridge Gardens during the Notting Hill Carnival on 24 and 25 August 2025, faced objections from both the Metropolitan Police and the council's Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance Department. The application requested permission to sell alcohol, both on and off the premises, between midday and 7pm on both days, with a maximum of 499 people attending at any one time.

PC Tom Stewart of the Metropolitan Police objected to the TEN, citing concerns over the lack of a submitted Risk Assessment or Event Management Plan. According to the report pack, PC Stewart:

raises concerns over the lack of a submitted Risk Assessment or Event Management Plan in support of the application for alcohol sales during Notting Hill Carnival at Cambridge Gardens. He notes that the application does not include any evidence that the event has been reviewed or approved by Notting Hill Carnival Limited (NHCL).

The council and police expect applicants to provide evidence that their event proposal has been reviewed or approved by Notting Hill Carnival Limited (NHCL).

Mr Julian Trill, Team Manager for the Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance Department at RBKC, echoed these concerns, also objecting to the TEN on the grounds of public safety. He noted the absence of a risk assessment and event management plan, as well as evidence that Notting Hill Carnival Limited had reviewed or approved the event proposal.

The council's Statement of Licensing Policy prefers at least 28 days' notice for planned events, and 12 weeks' notice for events within the Notting Hill Carnival footprint. The policy also states that applicants must demonstrate how their proposed activity would support the licensing objectives and not adversely impact the emergency services during the Carnival period.

The sub-committee was advised it could issue a counter notice, take no action, or impose conditions from the premises licence.

Subterania's TEN Application Challenged

Another case involved an objection to a TEN submitted by Mr Damoy Robertson for the premises Subterania, located at 12 Acklam Road. Mr Robertson sought permission to use the venue as a club night with amplified music and alcohol sales during the Notting Hill Carnival weekend, specifically Friday 22 and Saturday 23 August 2025, from 21:00 to 03:00, with a maximum capacity of 499 people.

PC Mark Perry objected to the TEN, citing public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder. PC Perry stated that Mr Damoy Robertson had not contacted the police to discuss concerns, nor had he submitted an event management plan detailing how he would safely run the event, including security arrangements. PC Perry also raised concerns about how 499 patrons would get home at 03:00 without causing disorder or disturbing residents.

PC Perry said that Mr Damoy Robertson had not upheld the licensing objectives in accordance with clauses 25.4 and 25.5 of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Licensing Policy.

The report pack includes extracts from the council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which outlines the four licensing objectives:

1) The prevention of crime and disorder 2) Public safety 3) The prevention of public nuisance 4) The protection of children from harm.

The Statement of Licensing Policy also states that the council will pay particular attention to any application for a premises licence or TEN notification in the Notting Hill Carnival area, and its close proximity, that is intended to include the weekend of Notting Hill Carnival. The Carnival 'footprint' stretches from Harrow Road in the north, down to the Great West Road and Chepstow Road in the east, to Notting Hill Gate in the south and then Ladbroke Grove in the west.

As with the Lord Gellys case, the licensing sub-committee could issue a counter notice, take no action, or impose conditions.

These cases highlight the council's rigorous approach to licensing, particularly during major events like the Notting Hill Carnival. Applicants must demonstrate a clear understanding of the licensing objectives and provide comprehensive plans to ensure public safety and minimise disruption to the local community.

The Licensing Sub-Committee considered these applications at a meeting on 31 July 2025. The agenda and reports pack for the meeting are available online.