Notting Hill

Almost £1million has been made available to enhance the security for the event Notting Hill Carnival, which has happened annually since 1966, is one of the world's biggest street parties, attracting over two million attendees every year. The future of Carnival was in doubt only a few weeks ago following a leaked letter from Carnival chair Ian Comfort to Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy, where he requested "urgent funding" that was "essential to safeguarding the future and public safety of this iconic event". An independent safety review of the festival, commissioned by the organisers and paid for by the Greater London Authority (GLA), Kensington and Chelsea Council and Westminster Council at a cost of £100,000, identified "critical public safety concerns". There were about 7000 officers on duty for last year's event and the Met Police's Assistant Commissioner Matt Twist has previously voiced concerns about a "mass casualty event" due to crowd density. Speaking at City Hall on 19th June, Sadiq Khan echoed those sentiments, saying "I've seen images of some of the crowds at some parts of the day and watching that made me frightened". Mr Comfort also referenced another review in his letter, which highlighted the increased strain placed on the Met Police during large-scale events, saying that "limited resourcing has restricted the police service’s ability to respond to growing operational pressures", that increased investment in stewarding and crowd management was "now essential to allow the police to focus on their primary role of crime prevention and public protection", and that not securing additional funding "risks compromising public safety and jeopardising the future of the carnival". While the Department of Culture hasn't made any additional funds available, three organisations have stumped up £958,000 to pay for private stewards to help manage the crowds and ensure that the event goes ahead. In response, Ian Comfort, said: “We are delighted that our partners at City Hall, the Royal Borough of Kensington & Chelsea, and the City of Westminster have come together to provide the funding necessary to ensure Notting Hill Carnival 2025 can go ahead. “We also extend our sincere gratitude to the Metropolitan Police for their continued commitment to supporting the event and facilitating the implementation of key recommendations.”

Notting Hill

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Notting Hill

Notting Hill Carnival Will Be Going Ahead After Receiving Funds to Boost Security

Speedboat Bar Is Heading to Notting Hill for Site Number Two

KIKKI-G Is Bringing St. Barts to Notting Hill

The Dorian and Tuna Fight Club Team Is Opening a Sushi Bar

Chef Dom Taylor Is Opening a Caribbean Restaurant in Ladbroke Grove

Ukrainian-Inspired Restaurant SINO Is Opening in Notting Hill

Dove Review | “A Worthy Successor to Orasay”

Get 50% off New Dishes at Trejo’s Tacos

Jackson Boxer Is Closing Orasay and Turning the Space into Dove

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