Published: Monday 21 August 2023
Another Carnival will return to Notting Hill as Kensington and Chelsea Council reveals how it supports its workers and infrastructure to host the mammoth event.
Waste collectors, transport, and licensing officers all work in the lead up to the event, alongside Carnival organisers, by:
Licensing for 300 food stalls and 38 live sound systems to support the 72 Masquerade bands, 11 steel pan bands and over 100 live stage acts.
Providing over 1000 compostable, chemical, and water-free toilet facilities, (made up of 480 cubicles, 600 urinals and over 40 accessible cubicles)
Clearing around 300 tonnes of waste between Sunday and Monday and at the end of the Carnival.
Organising a weekend at the seaside with Age UK for up to 42 elderly and vulnerable residents living on the Carnival route.
The team from Kensington and Chelsea includes officers, wardens, licensing and environment health officers and cleaners who ensure that carnival can come together in a safe and efficient manner. The parade started many years ago to fight racial injustice and has now grown into a diverse and electric community led festival that is welcomed by many of the residents.
Cllr Emma Will, the Lead Member for Culture, Leisure, and Community Safety, mentioned:
"With another year of Carnival just around the corner, we've been stepping up our efforts to ensure that everyone can enjoy a safe and joyful Carnival.
"Our team is tirelessly preparing for the arrival of hundreds of thousands of visitors from near and far. We're ready to serve the community before, during, and after the carnival, ensuring that the streets return to normal once the festivities conclude.
"As Europe's largest community led Carnival, it's a massive undertaking, and we're proud of our team who collaborate with organizers and a dedicated group of community volunteers to bring it to life."
For older residents who may wish to escape the hustle and bustle of Carnival, Kensington and Chelsea Council supports Age UK to arrange a seaside trip to Eastbourne for 42 elderly and vulnerable residents during the bank holiday weekend.
The well-being of residents, visitors, and local businesses is a top priority. Therefore, Kensington and Chelsea have been proactively preparing them with informational booklets, a dedicated phone line available throughout the weekend, and an online hub of information at webtest.rbkc.gov.uk/carnival. This resource covers everything from road closures to offering free basement cleaning for properties affected by the Carnival.