The Licensing Sub-Committee was scheduled to consider an objection to a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) for the sale of alcohol at 6 Cambridge Gardens, London, W10 5UB, during Notting Hill Carnival 2025. The meeting's agenda focused on whether to issue a counter notice for this event, which would effectively refuse the notice.

Objection to Temporary Event Notice at 6 Cambridge Gardens

The primary item scheduled for discussion was an objection to a Temporary Event Notice (TEN) submitted by Mr Prince Richardson for the front garden area of 6 Cambridge Gardens, London, W10 5UB. The notice proposed the sale of alcohol on and off the premises during Notting Hill Carnival 2025, with a maximum of 10 individuals permitted on site at any one time.

Objections were raised by two relevant persons as defined by the Licensing Act 2003¹: the Metropolitan Police and the Noise and Nuisance Team on behalf of the Director of Highway and Regulatory Services.

The Metropolitan Police, represented by PC Mark Perry, objected on the grounds of the prevention of crime and disorder and public safety. PC Perry's representation highlighted concerns that the sale of alcohol from this location, situated at a junction with Portobello Road and a known cut-through during Carnival, would draw large crowds, create queues, and obstruct the highway. This, the police argued, could lead to increased risks of crowd surges, crushing, and disorder. The police also noted that the applicant's risk assessment and event management plan lacked sufficient detail on queue management, crowd control, and handling disorder. Furthermore, the proposal to sell alcohol onto the public highway was seen as a contravention of Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea (RBKC) policy, which does not permit street trading of alcohol during Carnival. The police recommended that the TEN be refused.

The Noise and Nuisance Team, represented by Philip Richardson, Principal Environmental Health Officer, also objected on the grounds of the prevention of public nuisance and public safety. Mr Richardson pointed out the premises' proximity to Portobello Green, the parade route, and Portobello Road, all areas known for heavy congestion, further exacerbated by Hostile Vehicle Mitigation (HVM) measures. The sale of alcohol was anticipated to worsen congestion and impede pedestrian flow. The objection also noted the absence of a street trading licence for alcohol sales onto the public highway, which is a requirement under council policy. The Noise and Nuisance Team recommended refusal of the TEN.

The report indicated that the Licensing Sub-Committee had the power to take several steps, including issuing a counter notice if deemed necessary for the promotion of licensing objectives, taking no action and allowing the notice to have effect, or imposing conditions if the premises held a licence. The report also referenced extracts from the Council's Statement of Licensing Policy², which outlines the importance of promoting the four licensing objectives: prevention of crime and disorder, public safety, prevention of public nuisance, and protection of children from harm. The policy also provides specific guidance for Temporary Event Notices (TENs) during Notting Hill Carnival, emphasizing early submission and detailed planning.

The report included appendices containing the Temporary Event Notice itself, a site plan, method statement, risk assessment, representations from the police and the Noise and Nuisance Team, extracts from the Statement of Licensing Policy, a map of the area, a list of licensed premises in the vicinity, a map of the 2024 Carnival footprint, and a list of other TENs received for the 2025 Carnival.