The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee met to consider objections from the police and environmental health to a temporary event notice (TEN) application from Mr Morteza Akbarabadi of Red Planet Pizza for the sale of alcohol during the Notting Hill Carnival. Mr Akbarabadi withdrew his application after it was determined that he had applied for on-sales of alcohol, when he required off-sales. He intends to submit a new application.

Temporary Event Notice Application for Red Planet Pizza

Mr Morteza Akbarabadi, the premises user for Red Planet Pizza, 167 Ladbroke Grove, applied for a temporary event notice to sell alcohol on 24 and 25 August 2025 between midday and 7pm for the Notting Hill Carnival. The application was for on-sales of alcohol for a maximum of 10 people. This would have allowed customers to buy and consume alcohol inside the shop and in the forecourt area.

Paul Phelan from the council's licensing team, summarised the application and noted that PC Janelle Caldinez of the Metropolitan Police, and Julian Trill, team manager for RBKC Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance, had objected to the application.

Mr Akbarabadi told the committee that he wished to sell alcohol for takeaway, as is the practice of other shops in the area.

Lindsay LeMissurier, the council's legal officer, clarified the difference between on-sales and off-sales of alcohol, and confirmed that the committee could not amend the application to allow off-sales.

Cllr Dori Schmetterling asked why Mr Akbarabadi had not supplied a risk assessment or an event management plan, and asked where people would queue, given that the location is on the carnival route.

Cllr Linda Wade said that everyone is now far more cautious about carnival, and asked whether Mr Akbarabadi had spoken to the carnival organisers or the police before making the application.

Cllr Marie-Therese Rossi said that the committee had pointed out to Mr Akbarabadi the things he needed to do to be successful when he made an application last year, which was turned down.

It was noted that Mr Akbarabadi's existing premises licence is just for late night refreshment between 11pm and 1am, and does not permit the sale of alcohol.

Mr Akbarabadi confirmed that he had last sold alcohol from the premises in 2022, under a temporary event notice.

Mr Phelan clarified that the application was valid in its current format, but that it may not be a practical application.

Cllr Rossi asked Mr Akbarabadi whether he wanted the committee to consider the application for on-sales of alcohol, but Mr Akbarabadi said that he wanted to apply for a new one.

Ms LeMissurier advised that Mr Akbarabadi could apply for a late temporary event notice, but that if there was an objection to that notice, it would be automatically refused without a hearing.

Mr Akbarabadi agreed to withdraw the current application and apply for a separate late temporary event notice for off-sales of alcohol.

Cllr Rossi advised Mr Akbarabadi to speak to the police and find out what they need from him first.

Mr Phelan offered to reach out to Mr Akbarabadi and give him assistance with the documents and policy.

Objections to the Application

PC Janelle Caldinez of the Metropolitan Police, objected to the application on the grounds of prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. Her representation stated that:

The premises are located on Ladbroke Grove, on the main parade route of Notting Hill Carnival where there will be numerous floats and crowds. Any premises selling alcohol into Ladbroke Grove within such a busy area could easily have a negative impact on crowd flow. The queues could limit the space for people to move. This could lead to a bottle neck situation and/or heavy congestion.

PC Caldinez also noted that no risk assessment had been submitted, and that Mr Akbarabadi had not evidenced that a street trading licence had been obtained. She added that the applicant had not consulted the police prior to submitting the TEN, and that the premises does not have experience of selling alcohol to the public.

Julian Trill, team manager for RBKC Environmental Health Noise and Nuisance, also objected on the grounds of public safety, raising the same concerns as PC Caldinez.

Licensing Policy

The report pack included extracts from the council's statement of licensing policy¹, which states that the licensing authority must carry out its functions so as to promote 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 policy also states that the licensing authority prefers that event organisers give at least 28 days notice of a planned event, and that in the case of events planned to take place within the Notting Hill Carnival footprint, TENs should be submitted at least 12 weeks in advance.

The policy also states that the licensing authority expects 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. Applicants are also expected to include details of how they will control the numbers of people at their venue, details of stewarding and security arrangements, and draft risk assessments and a draft management plan.