The Alcohol and Entertainment Licensing Sub-Committee of Brent Council met on 19 June 2025 to consider a temporary event notice application. The meeting was scheduled to be held online and was open to the press and public. Councillor Janice Long was scheduled to chair the meeting.

Temporary Event Notice - Car Park next to 237, Neasden Lane

The sub-committee was scheduled to consider an application for a temporary event notice (TEN) from Mr Dudley Shirley for an event to be held in the car park next to 237, Neasden Lane. The application was for a Local Community Give Back Event – primarily celebrating Jamaican culture and Jamaican Independence Day on 6 August 2025, from 12:00pm to 10.00pm. The event was scheduled to include the sale of alcohol and regulated entertainment¹ for up to 499 people.

Mr Dudley Shirley described the event as a celebration of Jamaican heritage, intended to bring together the diverse people of Neasden. According to the application form, the event would feature authentic Jamaican music, food, small live performances, and family-friendly activities. Mr Dudley Shirley also stated that the Mayor would be invited to attend.

Documents in the report pack included an email from Police Constable (PC) Brendon McInnes of the Metropolitan Police, asking Mr Dudley Shirley a number of questions about the event, including whether he had permission to use the car park, where regular users of the car park would be able to park, and what measures would be in place to prevent noise and street drinking. PC Brendon McInnes also stated that the email should be considered a holding representation² until the information was provided.

PC Brendon McInnes subsequently submitted a formal representation objecting to the notice, stating that the event could undermine the licensing objectives³ of the prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, and the prevention of public nuisance. PC Brendon McInnes stated that Neasden Lane falls within a Cumulative Impact Zone (CIZ)⁴, and that the area already has a problem with street drinking, anti-social behaviour, and crime. PC Brendon McInnes wrote:

Police are more than happy to support local community events however Police believe that should this event go ahead, given its location and the problems already imbedded, this will only create a hub for the above mentioned problems to gain momentum. Street drinkers will gather near to the car park to take advantage of the free music and party atmosphere. When the event is over these street drinkers will still linger in the area continuing to drink.

PC Brendon McInnes also raised concerns about the displacement of car park users, potentially leading to more congestion on Neasden Lane. He included crime statistics for Neasden for April 2025, which showed that the top reported crimes were violence and sexual offences, anti-social behaviour, and vehicle crime.