Kensington and Chelsea Council has refused a temporary event notice for a pineapple stall to sell alcohol during the Notting Hill Carnival. The decision was made by the Licensing Sub-Committee on Tuesday, August 18, 2026, following objections from the Metropolitan Police and the Noise and Nuisance Team.
The applicant, Mr. Adam Jones, had sought permission to sell alcohol off the premises from a pineapple stall at 284 Portobello Road on Sunday, August 30, and Monday, August 31, 2026. The proposed hours for alcohol sales were from 12:00 to 19:00 on both days, with a maximum of 25 people permitted at any one time.
However, the Metropolitan Police objected on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder and public safety. They raised concerns that additional alcohol sales from unlicensed premises during the carnival could exacerbate congestion, impede emergency vehicle access, and potentially lead to an increase in crime and public disorder. The police also noted the absence of a risk assessment or event management plan from the applicant.
The Metropolitan Police and the Noise and Nuisance Team have the power to object to Temporary Event Notices (TENs) if they are satisfied that allowing the premises to be used in accordance with the notice would undermine a licensing objective. Their responsibilities include lodging an objection notice with the licensing authority, stating the reasons why they are so satisfied. The police objected on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder and public safety, citing concerns about increased congestion, impeded emergency vehicle access, and potential escalation of crime and disorder. The Noise and Nuisance Team objected on the grounds of public safety, echoing concerns about exacerbating existing congestion and obstructing the public highway.
Furthermore, the Metropolitan Police noted that selling alcohol from the public highway would require a street trading licence, which the council's policy generally does not permit for alcohol sales during carnival.
They added that Any unauthorised street trading will therefore constitute a criminal offence, undermining the Prevention of Crime and Disorder licensing objective.
Mr. Jones's application for a TEN to sell alcohol off the premises from a pineapple stall on Portobello Road was objected to on these grounds, as it was apparent that alcohol would be sold into the public highway, which requires a street trading licence. The council's policy generally does not permit this for alcohol sales during carnival.
Mr. Jones, who described himself as an artist aiming to contribute to community building, stated his intention to offer alcohol-free pineapple cocktails and a traditional pineapple punch. His application specified the intention to serve pineapple punch. A rum cocktail.
He acknowledged the need for proper procedures and apologized if any steps were not perfectly executed.
Despite Mr. Jones's explanation, the Licensing Sub-Committee, chaired by Councillor Greg Hammond, ultimately decided to refuse the Temporary Event Notice. The committee cited the significant concerns raised by the police and environmental health regarding public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder in the highly congested carnival environment as the primary reasons for their decision. The lack of a comprehensive risk assessment and event management plan was also a key factor.
The meeting documents indicate that a comprehensive risk assessment and event management plan were deemed missing because they were crucial for managing queues and ensuring public safety in such a congested environment.
Specifically, the police raised concerns about how Mr Jones will safely demonstrate public safety as well as reduce crime and disorder.
The Noise and Nuisance Team highlighted that the absence of these documents raised concerns as to how public safety will be upheld.
The council's Statement of Licensing Policy also outlines expected components of such plans, including Details of how they will control the numbers of people at their venue,
Details of the stewarding and security arrangements and other crowd control measures,
and Details of First Aid & Fire Safety precautions.
See Public reports pack 18th-Aug-2026 10.00 Licensing Sub-Committee.pdf
Mr. Jones has applied for similar temporary event notices in the past. He stated, Two years ago, I did an orange juice store with a license, with a TENS license, which was at 142 Labrote Grove. So it was in a different location? It was at a different location. It was a successful event. It was very low-key. It was for friends and family and so on.
