Kensington businesses are preparing for Notting Hill Carnival by boarding up their windows, but many say the disruption is worth it for a day celebrating Caribbean culture. The annual event, which began in 1966 as a celebration of Black culture and resistance against racism, attracts two million people to the streets of Notting Hill, making it the world's second largest street carnival after Rio de Janeiro.
Businesses spend thousands on security
Jorge Costa, who works at a clothes store in Notting Hill, told the Local Democracy Reporting Service (LDRS) that his business spends around £1,000 each year on boarding up and remaining closed during the carnival. 'If they did not put up wooden boards, people would most likely smash in their windows,' he said. Despite the costs, Mr Costa emphasized the importance of the event: 'Business is not everything in life. People need to celebrate. People need to get together and, you know, maybe forget about business for a few days.'
Mixed experiences among shop owners
Shop owner Zia Sidiki reported that most years, carnival celebrations leave his jewellery business with broken windows or doors. He pointed to a cracked glass panel following last year's event. However, Mr Sidiki did not blame attendees: 'It's not that everyone is coming here for trouble. So, there's a lot of good people as well coming for fun to see what's going on.' He stressed that the most important thing is to keep people safe while they celebrate their cultural traditions.
Favaz K, who works at a DIY store, said the carnival period is good for business as people buy buckets and boxes to keep their drinks in. He noted that carnival-goers often spray graffiti on the shop's shutters, but the council helps remove any paint. 'It's about celebration...it's all about human things, a cultural program. So be kind to the people...just celebrate it. Enjoy your day,' he said.
Licence issues for some traders
Christian Marfe and Mazhar Toutounjee work in a shop that sells vapes, electrical products, and fixes watches. Last year, they sold light beers during carnival without issues. However, this year Kensington and Chelsea Council denied their licence application because the shop is too close to Notting Hill Gate Tube Station. Mr Toutounjee said the decision 'doesn't sound fair,' noting that they had offered soft drinks and assistance, and never had problems. Mr Marfe supports the carnival but said it has become 'too big' and 'exaggerated,' making it difficult.
Council prioritizes safety
A spokesperson for Kensington and Chelsea Council said: 'Notting Hill Carnival is an important event for our communities and we are extremely proud to host it on our streets. Public safety is our top priority, and we work closely with partners year-round to help make sure Carnival is delivered safely. Following a review last year, a number of safety measures have been introduced, including changes to street trading in some areas to support safe crowd movement.' The council added that applications for Temporary Event Notices are considered on their individual merit.
Notting Hill Carnival 2026
This year's Notting Hill Carnival will take place from Saturday, August 29 to Monday, August 31. Family day is on Sunday, while Monday is geared towards adults; both are free to attend. On Saturday, a ticketed steel band competition will be held.
