The Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on Tuesday 7 July 2026 was convened to consider objections to a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for Love TKO, a sound system and bar proposed for the amenity area adjacent to Hazelwood Tower, Golborne Gardens, W10, during Notting Hill Carnival 2026. After hearing submissions from the applicant, the Metropolitan Police, and the Noise and Nuisance Team, the committee decided to adjourn the hearing for a minimum of two weeks to allow for the submission of outstanding documentation.

Temporary Event Notice for Love TKO

The meeting considered a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) submitted by Mr Glen Falconer for Love TKO, a sound system and bar located in the amenity area adjacent to Hazelwood Tower, Golborne Gardens, W10. The TEN sought permission for the sale of alcohol and the provision of regulated entertainment on Sunday 30 and Monday 31 August 2026, with a maximum capacity of 499 people.

Objections to the TEN were raised by the Metropolitan Police on the grounds of preventing crime and disorder and public safety, and by the Council's Noise and Nuisance Team on the grounds of public safety.

Applicant's Submission: Mr Glen Falconer, the premises user, presented his case, highlighting his long history of involvement with Notting Hill Carnival, spanning over 30 years. He explained that his site is small and naturally limited in capacity due to its triangular shape and surrounding roads, making it impossible to hold 499 people. He stated that he only controls his specific sound system site and not the wider area, which contains numerous food stalls and other attractions. Mr Falconer also mentioned that he has been operating with an alcohol licence for many years and has had no issues with damage to public assets.

He addressed concerns about crowd control by explaining that he employs two stewards and uses his sound system and microphone to manage the crowd on his site. He also noted that Notting Hill Carnival Limited (NHCL) is implementing new measures for the 2026 carnival, including a single point of contact for each sound system to initiate a show stop if necessary, a qualified crowd manager, and a radio operator for constant communication. Furthermore, Mr Falconer confirmed that NHCL is providing funding for stewards and has been using DCM cameras for the past three years, which feed into the event control room and provide accurate crowd numbers.

Objections:

• Metropolitan Police: PC Mark Perry, representing the Metropolitan Police, objected on the grounds of public safety and preventing crime and disorder. He expressed concern that Mr Falconer had not engaged with NHCL's planning and safety processes, and that the submitted risk assessment and event management plan (EMP) lacked detail on how the event would be limited to 499 people, how incidents would be managed, and how access and egress would be controlled. PC Perry argued that overcrowding could lead to increased crime, such as pickpocketing and sexual assaults, and that alcohol consumption could exacerbate tensions, potentially leading to disorder. He stated that the police had had no communication with Love TKO since submitting their objection and requested that the committee issue a counter notice or that the TEN be withdrawn and resubmitted after approval by NHCL.

• Noise and Nuisance Team: Mr Philip Richardson, from the Council's Noise and Nuisance Team, also objected on the grounds of public safety. He echoed the police's concern that Mr Falconer had not engaged with NHCL's established planning and safety processes. Mr Richardson stated that the submitted documentation was insufficient, lacking a suitable risk assessment and EMP, making it impossible to determine if the event could be operated safely. He noted that his objection was primarily a technical one, as he could not physically assess the risks due to the documentation not being fully visible or accessible on the Notting Hill Carnival Portal. He indicated that if an updated document could be provided, his team would likely withdraw their objection, as they have historically had no problems with Love TKO.

Decision to Adjourn: Following the presentations and questions from the councillors, it became apparent that the submitted documentation was incomplete. Mr Matthew Philip, CEO of Nightingale Carnival, confirmed that updated versions of the risk assessment and EMP were in progress and would be available by Friday. Both the police and the Noise and Nuisance Team expressed their willingness to adjourn the hearing to allow for the submission of these documents.

Councillor Petit proposed an adjournment, stating that it would be unfair to make a decision on incomplete information. Councillor Bellara agreed, emphasizing the importance of proper documentation. Councillor Areti, the Chair, concurred, noting that the applicant and NHCL were in favour of adjourning to resolve the outstanding issues.

The committee unanimously agreed to adjourn the hearing for a minimum of two weeks. This would allow Mr Philip to liaise with Mr Falconer to update the event management plan and risk assessment on the portal by Friday, followed by a joint discussion with the police and Noise and Nuisance Team. The adjourned hearing will be rescheduled by Governance Services, with the hope that the objections may be withdrawn after the revised documentation is reviewed.