The Licensing Sub-Committee of The Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council met on Tuesday 7 July 2026 to consider an objection to a Temporary Event Notice. The notice was for the sale of alcohol at Flat C, 6 St Michael's Gardens, W10 5SP, during the Notting Hill Carnival.

Objection to Temporary Event Notice at Flat C, 6 St Michael's Gardens, W10 5SP

The meeting was scheduled to consider an objection to a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) submitted by Mr Michael Sharman for Flat C, 6 St Michael's Gardens, London, W10 5SP. The TEN proposed the sale of alcohol off the premises on Sunday 30 August and Monday 31 August 2026, between 12:00 and 19:00 each day, with a maximum of 20 people permitted at any one time.

Objections to the TEN were raised by PC Mark Perry on behalf of the Metropolitan Police and by Mr Philip Richardson of the Noise and Nuisance Team, acting for the Director of Highway and Regulatory Services.

PC Perry's objection, detailed in Appendix B of the public reports pack, cited concerns regarding public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder. The police expressed worries that the use of pop-up bars without a premises licence could negatively impact crowd dynamics and safety, particularly given the location's proximity to the Saxon Sound System during the Notting Hill Carnival. The objection highlighted a lack of a submitted risk assessment or event management plan to detail how queues would be managed, pavements kept clear, or residents' access ensured. The police were concerned that overcrowding could lead to increased crime, such as pickpocketing and sexual assaults, and potential disorder. They also noted that permission from the Street Trading team had not been sought for the sale of alcohol into the public highway. PC Perry requested that the Licensing Sub-Committee issue a Counter Notice.

Mr Richardson's objection, outlined in Appendix C, echoed the police's concerns about the busy location and its proximity to the Saxon Sound System. He stated that the TEN, if granted, was likely to exacerbate existing congestion by attracting more patrons, potentially obstructing the public highway. Mr Richardson also raised safety concerns regarding the proposed method of sale via a queuing system on the steps leading to the property's front door, suggesting this was not adequately addressed in the submitted risk assessment and event management plan. He also noted the absence of evidence that a street trading licence had been granted for the sale of alcohol onto the public highway. The Environmental Health Department's view was that the TEN would not promote the public safety licensing objective.

The report pack included a Temporary Event Notice form completed by Mr Sharman, a risk assessment template, and an event management plan. The event management plan detailed beverage provision, litter and waste control, crowd management, queue management, staffing, first aid, and the alcoholic beverages to be offered. The plan noted that in previous years, the footfall from the Saxon Sound System had not posed challenges to pedestrian flow on St Michael's Gardens, and it was not anticipated that this TEN would create significant queues.

The report also provided extracts from the Secretary of State's Guidance and the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy, which outline the framework for considering Temporary Event Notices and the promotion of 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 council's policy strongly encourages event organisers to provide early notice, particularly for events within the Notting Hill Carnival footprint, to allow for full discussion and minimise risks. The report indicated that the Licensing Sub-Committee had the option to issue a counter notice, take no action, or impose conditions if the premises held a premises licence.