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Licensing Sub-Committee - Tuesday, 15th July, 2025 11.00 am

July 15, 2025 View on council website  Watch video of meeting
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Summary

The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee convened to consider a notice of objection to a temporary event notice (TEN) application. The application was made by Mr Sakda Sunthornsarathun for the premises at 303 Portobello Road, London, W10 5TD, trading as Thai Rice, during the Notting Hill Carnival. Objections were received from the Metropolitan Police and the Noise and Nuisance Team.

Temporary Event Notice: 303 Portobello Road

Mr Sakda Sunthornsarathun applied for a TEN to authorise the sale of alcohol, both on and off the premises, from the forecourt of Thai Rice during the Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August 2025, between 11:00 and 19:00. The applicant proposed using the forecourt area for tables to sell food and drinks, with a maximum of 50 people on the premises at any one time.

The premises already holds a premises licence, which permits the playing of recorded music indoors at unrestricted hours, the sale of alcohol (on and off the premises) at specified times, regulated entertainment for private use indoors at any time, and late-night refreshment indoors at specified times.

Objections

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 raised concerns about the proposed alcohol sales from the forecourt, stating that the location is:

situated within a heavily congested section of Portobello Road, near the Virgo International sound system and multiple existing trading stalls. These factors, combined with recently installed Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) bollards, create a high-risk environment for crowd congestion.

The police noted that similar activity at the same location during the previous Carnival led to a substantial external bar setup that extended into the public highway, worsening pedestrian flow. They also raised concerns about the proposed start time of 11:00, which deviates from the standard 12:00–19:00 permitted hours for Carnival. The police recommended limiting alcohol sales to inside the premises only and aligning the operating hours with Carnival standards.

Philip Richardson, Principal Environmental Health Officer, objected on behalf of the Noise and Nuisance Team on the grounds of prevention of public nuisance and public safety. Mr Richardson stated that the location is in very close proximity to the Virgo sound system and situated within a heavily congested part of the Notting Hill Carnival footprint. He noted that the location is surrounded by eight trading stalls and restricted by recently installed hostile vehicle mitigation concrete bollards, all of which compound congestion in the area.

The Noise and Nuisance Team believed that the TEN would increase congestion and crowd retention at the site, negatively affecting the safe movement of people. Additionally, no risk assessment or event plan had been submitted to demonstrate how potential risks would be identified and mitigated. Mr Richardson also noted that the proposed operating hours of 11:00–19:00 do not align with the standard permitted times for the Carnival, which are 12:00–19:00.

Licensing Policy Considerations

The report pack included extracts from the council's statement of licensing policy1, which outlines the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. The policy also states that the licensing authority prefers at least 28 days' notice for planned events, and recommends that TENs for events within the Notting Hill Carnival footprint are submitted at least 12 weeks in advance.

The statement of licensing policy also addresses significant/major events, including the Notting Hill Carnival, and emphasises the need for applicants to 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.

The Licensing Sub-Committee was asked to consider the objection notices and take one of the following steps: issue a counter notice, take no action and allow the notice to have effect, or impose conditions from the premises licence onto the TEN.

Additional Information

The report pack included a map of the area, a list of licensed premises within the vicinity, a map of the 2024 Carnival footprint, and a list of temporary event notices received so far for this year's Carnival.


  1. The Licensing Act 2003 requires licensing authorities to publish a statement of licensing policy every five years. The policy sets out the approach the authority will take when making decisions on applications for licences. 

Attendees

Profile image for CllrJanet Evans
CllrJanet Evans  (Chair, Licensing Committee) •  Conservative Party •  Courtfield
Profile image for CllrDavid Lindsay
CllrDavid Lindsay  (Chair, Pension Board) •  Conservative Party •  Norland
Profile image for CllrMarie-Therese Rossi
CllrMarie-Therese Rossi  (Vice-Chair, Licensing Committee) •  Conservative Party •  Redcliffe

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