The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider an objection from the Metropolitan Police to a temporary event notice (TEN) application. The TEN had been submitted by Mr Rajeev Kumar for the Portobello Road Post Office, Ground Floor, 325 Portobello Road, London, W10 5SY. The application requested permission to sell alcohol during the Notting Hill Carnival.

Objection to Temporary Event Notice for Portobello Road Post Office

Mr Rajeev Kumar applied for a TEN to sell alcohol off the premises of the Portobello Road Post Office between 09:00 and 22:00 from Thursday 21 August to Wednesday 27 August 2025. The maximum number of people allowed on the premises at any one time was specified as 10.

PC Mark Perry of the Metropolitan Police objected to the TEN on the grounds of public safety and the prevention of crime and disorder. PC Mark Perry raised concerns about the premises' location at a critical junction within the Carnival footprint and anticipated that allowing the sale of alcohol would:

• create unmanaged queues
• generate bottlenecks
• obstruct the safe movement of people

PC Mark Perry stated that the police anticipated thousands of people would be passing through this area at peak times.

The police also noted that Mr Rajeev Kumar's initial application lacked a risk assessment or event management plan. While a plan was later submitted, it was considered insufficient, particularly regarding queue management and dealing with intoxicated patrons. The police highlighted that the plan proposed six SIA staff¹, which they believed confirmed the significant risk posed by the event.

PC Mark Perry also raised concerns that the proposed sale of alcohol from the forecourt onto the public highway would constitute unauthorised street trading, which is against council policy and a criminal offence under the London Local Authorities Act 1990².

PC Mark Perry's representation stated:

The MPS believe that the application increases the risk of both crime and disorder and public safety incidents taking place, due to the large number of people in the area, and the risk of alcohol related crime and disorder taking place. Given the location Police believe that the applicant will not be able to keep the queue under control and the risk to public safety and preventing crime and disorder is simply too high.

The report to the sub-committee included extracts from the council's statement of licensing policy, which gives guidance on how the council will consider applications for premises licences and TENs during the Notting Hill Carnival. The policy advises applicants to demonstrate how their proposed activity would support the licensing objectives³ and not adversely impact emergency services. It also expects applicants to include details on toilet facilities, crowd control measures, stewarding and security arrangements, risk assessments and a management plan.

The report also included:

• a map of the area
• a list of licensed premises in the vicinity
• a map of the 2024 Carnival footprint
• a list of temporary event notices received so far for this year's Carnival.

The Licensing Sub-Committee was asked to consider the objection notice from the police and take steps necessary to promote the licensing objectives. The options available to the sub-committee were to:

• issue a counter notice, preventing the event from taking place
• take no action, allowing the event to proceed
• impose conditions from the premises licence (if one exists) onto the TEN.