The Kensington and Chelsea Licensing Sub-Committee convened to discuss a temporary event notice (TEN) application for Flat C, 220 Westbourne Park Road, London, during the Notting Hill Carnival. The committee ultimately decided to issue a counter notice, effectively denying the applicant permission to sell alcohol at the premises during the event, due to concerns about crime, disorder, public nuisance, and public safety.

Temporary Event Notice: Flat C, 220 Westbourne Park Road

The sub-committee considered a temporary event notice submitted by Ms Neleswa McLean-Thorne for the sale of alcohol at Flat C, 220 Westbourne Park Road, during the Notting Hill Carnival on Sunday 24 and Monday 25 August 2025. The application requested permission to sell alcohol from midday to 7pm each day, with a maximum of 15 people present at any one time.

The council's licensing officer, Paul Phelan, summarised the application, noting objections from both the Metropolitan Police and the council's noise and nuisance team.

Objections

• Metropolitan Police: The police, represented by PC Donna Wilcox and legal advisor Horain Henry, objected to the TEN on the grounds of crime and disorder and public safety. Their concerns included the lack of a risk assessment or event management plan, the absence of security personnel, and the potential for queues to obstruct a nearby bus stop, creating a public safety hazard. They also raised concerns about the applicant potentially selling alcohol onto the public highway, which would require a street trading licence[^2] that the council does not typically grant during the carnival. [^2]: A street trading licence is a permit that allows individuals to sell goods or services on the street. PC Donna Wilcox clarified that the police are not acting as stewards at the carnival, and that the responsibility for crowd management lies with the event organisers, Notting Hill Carnival Limited.
• Environmental Health: Mr Matt McIlroy from the council's noise and nuisance team, objected on the grounds of public safety. He highlighted the location's proximity to an authorised sound system and the potential for queues to cause crowd management issues. Like the police, he noted the absence of a risk assessment or event management plan.

Committee Decision

The committee decided to issue a counter notice under Section 105 of the Licensing Act 2003, meaning the TEN was rejected. This decision was based on concerns that allowing the event to proceed would undermine the licensing objectives related to the prevention of crime and disorder, public nuisance, and public safety.