Kensington and Chelsea Council is reviewing temporary event notice (TEN) applications for alcohol sales during the Notting Hill Carnival, amid concerns about potential congestion and public safety. The Licensing Sub-Committee has several options, including issuing a counter notice if it believes it's necessary to promote licensing objectives, taking no action and allowing the notice to proceed, or imposing conditions from an existing premises licence or club premises certificate.
On Thursday, 14 August 2025, the Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee convened to address objections to a TEN submitted by Miss Rosemarie Noel for Studio Finis, located at 316A Ladbroke Grove, and another submitted by Miss Sacha Pryce for 29 Elkstone Road. Both locations are situated within the Carnival footprint.
Studio Finis Application
Miss Noel's application sought permission to sell alcohol on and off the premises on Sunday, 24 August, and Monday, 25 August 2025, during the Notting Hill Carnival. The proposed capacity was 150 people.
However, the Metropolitan Police and the Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance Team lodged objections. PC Jinelle Caldinez, representing the police, cited concerns over crime and disorder and public safety. PC Caldinez stated that Ladbroke Grove, being on the main parade route, experiences high footfall, and allowing alcohol sales could negatively impact crowd flow, potentially causing bottlenecks and heavy congestion.
PC Caldinez also raised concerns about Miss Noel's previous TEN application in 2024, where a bar was observed operating outside the premises despite confirmation that sales would occur inside. Furthermore, no risk assessment or plan was provided to address crowd management, staffing, security, and fire safety, in contravention of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's Licensing Policy.
Mr Philip Richardson, representing the Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance Team, echoed these concerns, emphasizing that the location's congestion could be exacerbated by the TEN, negatively affecting crowd flow.
Elkstone Road Application
Miss Sacha Pryce's TEN sought permission to sell alcohol off the premises at 29 Elkstone Road during the same Carnival dates, with a proposed capacity of 498 people. Similar objections were raised by the police and the Noise and Nuisance Team.
PC Nick Gerry, representing the Metropolitan Police, objected to the TEN on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. PC Gerry stated that Elkstone Road is on the parade route and gets congested with people and large lorries, and that a TEN at this location could put the public at risk. PC Gerry stated that:
The Risk Assessment (RA) and Event Management Plan (EMP) have not provided sufficient detail about how the TEN will be managed to mitigate crime and disorder and maintain public safety.
Mr Richardson also objected, stating that the premises are situated on the forecourt/car park area in a heavily congested area of the carnival footprint, on the parade route, and that the TEN is likely to exacerbate this congestion by drawing and holding people at the site. He also noted the absence of a detailed plan showing the location of the proposed alcohol sales, and that there was no evidence that a street trading licence had been granted to allow the sale of alcohol onto the public highway.
The need for a street trading license stems from regulations governing sales on public highways, and its absence raises concerns about unauthorized trading and potential obstruction of public areas.
The Licensing Sub-Committee is tasked with considering these objections and taking necessary steps to promote the licensing objectives, including the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm.
The Sub-Committee will consider the Public Reports Pack and Agenda Frontsheet for the Studio Finis hearing, and the Public Reports Pack and Agenda Frontsheet for the 29 Elkstone Road hearing, in making their decisions.
