Two individuals have been denied the right to sell alcohol during this year's Notting Hill Carnival. Kensington and Chelsea Council rejected two Temporary Event Notices at a Licensing Sub-Committee meeting on July 7.
Applications rejected over safety concerns
Each year, residents and businesses in Notting Hill sell soft drinks, alcohol, and food from their premises to carnival attendees. However, applications often face objections related to crowd management and crime prevention.
Mr Amod Wadhi, who successfully sold alcohol last year, was told his TEN was not granted. He had applied to sell light beer only from his phone and tobacco shop between midday and 7pm on Sunday, August 30. He proposed hiring two SIA-trained security guards and limiting the store to 10 people at a time.
The Metropolitan Police objected due to the shop's proximity to Notting Hill Gate Tube Station. Mr Wadhi noted that stewards barricade the pavement next to his shop to separate it from crowds exiting the station.
“We want to work with the police. We want to work with the community - you already know that we’ve been here such a long time that we are part of the community,” Mr Wadhi told the sub-committee.
Police acknowledge good operators
PC Mark Perry told the sub-committee that police had objected to Mr Wadhi's application last year but the objection was not submitted in time. He stated: "It's not our business to be shutting down good operators and business and it certainly sounds like Mr Wadih is one of those. Our job primarily is to make sure carnival is as safe as it can be which is why we have policies and procedures in place and they are reflected by RBKC council as well."
Second application refused
Another application by Michael Sharman was also refused. Mr Sharman, who did not attend the hearing, sought a TEN to sell alcohol from the steps of a Notting Hill property on Sunday, August 30, and Monday, August 31, between midday and 1pm. Police objected due to concerns over crime and public safety, partly because of the property's proximity to the popular Saxon Sound System.
The sub-committee heard that the applicant had not adequately explained crowd management plans and had not contacted carnival organisers. PC Perry said: "As we all know Notting Hill Carnival is incredibly busy and from a policing viewpoint [our] primary concern is public safety and crime and disorder. What we look for is to make sure that if someone is going to carry out licensable activity, whether music or alcohol, that it's done in a safe way, that they’ve thought about the risks and they have plans in place to manage it."
In his risk assessment, Mr Sharman stated that four staff members and hired security would be on duty. Notting Hill Carnival will take place from Saturday, August 29 to Monday, August 31 this year.
