The Metropolitan Police have withdrawn their objection to a temporary alcohol licence for the Dizzier Generation bar at Powis Terrace during the Notting Hill Carnival, paving the way for the event to proceed.
The decision means the bar, located at the junction of Talbot Road, can sell alcohol on and off the premises on Sunday, August 30, and Monday, August 31, 2026. The bar will operate with a maximum capacity of 50 people, selling alcohol between 12:00 and 19:00 on both days.
During a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on Thursday, August 13, 2026, PC Mark Perry of the Metropolitan Police informed the committee that the objection, initially raised due to concerns about crime, disorder, and public safety, was being withdrawn. PC Perry apologised for the late submission of the objection, explaining that it was due to receiving further information from the applicant the previous afternoon
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The police had previously raised concerns that the bar's location within the Dizzier Generation Sound System area could exacerbate congestion on Powis Terrace, potentially hindering pedestrian movement and emergency vehicle access. They also cited risks of increased crime such as pickpocketing and theft, as well as crowd tensions leading to disorder.
To address these concerns, the Dizzier Generation bar has implemented several measures. These include having one SIA officer dedicated to the bar, undertaking a full risk assessment with a barrier plan, and ensuring a personal licence holder is on site at all times. The bar will operate a Challenge 25
policy to prevent underage sales and will not sell ceramic or glassware. A register of refusals will be maintained and made available to authorised officers. All staff will be trained to challenge those who appear under 25 and refuse service to intoxicated individuals. In the event of an incident, all trading will immediately cease, and staff will move to a safe area. The bar will also have a first aid kit and a fire extinguisher on site.
To improve crowd flow and sight lines, the bar plans to Place a barrier parallel to the front of the bar that will direct people into an orderly queue in the area where the bar is so as not have a line perpendicular to the crowd flow
. PC Perry stated, We have asked and had asked that the applicant place the bar on the same side as the soundstage to enable flow of people in sight lines.
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The standard procedure for the Metropolitan Police to raise objections to a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) involves submitting an objection notice to the licensing authority, the premises user, and every other relevant person within three working days of receiving the TEN. PC Perry's apology for the late submission highlights the importance of timely communication in these processes.
Notting Hill Carnival attracts around 2 million people each year, with hundreds of thousands in the carnival footprint at peak times. The Dizzier Generation bar's 50-person limit is a small fraction of the overall expected crowd size.
Following the withdrawal of the objection by the sole objector, the committee's legal advisor confirmed that the sub-committee no longer had the authority to make a decision on the Temporary Event Notice (TEN). Councillor Greg Hammond, Chair of the Licensing Committee, announced that the TEN could proceed and wished the applicant a successful carnival.
