The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider a notice to hold a temporary licensable event. Objections to the event had been received from the police and the Noise and Nuisance Team. The sub-committee was scheduled to decide whether to allow the event to proceed, reject it, or impose conditions.

Objection to Temporary Event Notice at Flat A, 239 Ladbroke Grove

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) application from Mr Jonathan Hewitt for Flat A, 239 Ladbroke Grove, London, W10 6HG. Mr Hewitt's application was for the sale of alcohol for consumption on and off the premises, at a Notting Hill Carnival party on Sunday 24 August 2025 and Monday 25 August 2025, between 12:00 and 19:00 each day. The maximum number of people to be permitted at any one time was listed as 27.

According to the public reports pack, PC Tom Stewart of the Metropolitan Police objected to the TEN on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. PC Stewart said that allowing the notice to go ahead would likely increase congestion in the area, as the premises are on the Carnival parade route. He also raised concerns about the increase in alcohol provision leading to increased intoxication, vulnerability, and alcohol-fuelled crime and disorder.

PC Stewart also noted:

It is apparent from your TEN that you will be selling alcohol from a private address/premises into the public highway. This requires a street trading licence under the London Local Authorities Act 1990. The MPS are aware that it is the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea's policy not to grant street trading licences for the sale of alcohol, or to grant street trading licences for sales of any goods from a private address into the public highway during Notting Hill Carnival. Any unauthorised street trading will therefore constitute a criminal offence, undermining the Prevention of Crime and Disorder licensing objective.

Mr Philip Richardson of the Noise and Nuisance Team also objected to the TEN, on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance and public safety. Mr Richardson agreed with the police that the location of the premises on the Carnival parade route was likely to increase congestion. He also noted that there was a:

lack of a specific plan and therefore the inability for RBKC to accurately determine where the licensable activities will be taking place and how this will affect public safety.

Appendix D to the report pack included extracts from the council's Statement of Licensing Policy. This states that the licensing authority must carry out its functions so as to promote the four licensing objectives: the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, the prevention of public nuisance, and the protection of children from harm. The policy also states that the council prefers that event organisers give at least 28 days' notice of a planned event, and that for events planned to take place within the Notting Hill Carnival 'footprint' during the Carnival weekend, TENs should be submitted at least 12 weeks in advance.

The Statement of Licensing Policy also includes specific guidance for Notting Hill Carnival, stating that the council will pay particular attention to any application for a premises licence or TEN in the Carnival area, and that applicants should demonstrate how their proposed activity would support the licensing objectives and not have an adverse impact on the existing high demands that the emergency services are under over the Carnival period.