Kensington and Chelsea Council has rejected an application for a temporary event notice (TEN) to sell alcohol during the Notting Hill Carnival, citing concerns about potential congestion and public safety. The decision was made at a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on Tuesday, 5 August 2025.
The application, submitted by Miss Aikaterini for Pepperon Cafe, located at 72 Lancaster Road, sought permission to sell alcohol off the premises during the Carnival on 24 and 25 August 2025. The plan was to use the forecourt of the premises, with a maximum of six people at any one time.
However, the Metropolitan Police and the Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance team objected to the TEN, raising concerns about public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder. The police adopted a more robust approach this year due to alarming crowd density issues experienced at the previous Notting Hill Carnival.
PC Donna Willcox, representing the police, stated that:
Peppercorn Café is situated between Portobello Road and All Saints Road W11. It is within a very busy part of the carnival footprint, with two sound systems close by (Rapattack and Peoples Sound). PC Willcox believes, based on previous years, that thousands of people will be in this area during peak times. This will generate crowds that will block the pavement and road, increasing the risk of creating a pinch point, overcrowding, and crushing.
PC Willcox also noted the absence of an Event Management Plan or Risk Assessment, failing to demonstrate how clauses 25.4, 25.5, 25.6 and 25.11 of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Licensing Policy would be observed.
PC Stewart also raised concerns about the sale of alcohol from the front entrance of the property during Notting Hill Carnival, as the location is directly within the carnival footprint, situated between two sound systems and adjacent to multiple street trading stalls, creating existing congestion.
Mr Julian Trill, from the Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance team, echoed these concerns, highlighting the potential for the TEN to exacerbate existing congestion and create obstructions on the public highway.
During the meeting, Councillor Schmetterling questioned whether the risks were similar to previous years, given the presence of sound systems in the same location.
Despite Miss Aikaterini's offer to hire licensed SIA security staff and implement crowd control measures, the committee ultimately decided that allowing the TEN would undermine the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety licensing objectives. The sub-committee issued a counter notice under Section 105 of the Licensing Act 2003, effectively rejecting the application.
PC Willcox advised Miss Aikaterini that the police would support her application to have off sales
providing she was happy to sell alcohol from within her premises and have security to manage the queues. However, Miss Aikaterini was not willing to agree to this.
The council also rejected a TEN application for Mr Cheddar Mills to hold a temporary licensable event at NHC 2025 - Forecourt Area, 41A Oxford Gardens, London, W10 5UF. PC Stewart objected on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. Mr Trill objected to the TEN on the grounds of public safety.
Miss Aikaterini has the right to appeal the decision to the Magistrates Court within 21 days of receiving the full written decision. If the premises user would like to appeal against the decision, such an appeal must be made to the Magistrates Court within 21 days from the date of notification of the full decision. But in any event, no later than five working days before the start of the proposed temporary event.