DJs who have played at Notting Hill Carnival for over 30 years breathed a sigh of relief as they won their licensing battle to remain after thousands signed a supporting petition.
Channel One Sound System’s reggae DJ Mikey Dread celebrated today after a five hour meeting with Westminster Council ended in him being able to remain playing at this year’s carnival in the same location on the corner of Westbourne Park Road and Leamington Road Villas as they have for the past 20 years. He played at Carnival 12 years before that elsewhere.
Over 8,500 people signed a petition to urge the council to let them stay after Channel One - along with two other soundsystems, Killawatt and Sir Lloyd - were told they needed to apply for a permanent premises licence instead of their normal temporary licence due to the number of people they attract.
DJ Dread said: “It was a long and painful process but we’re so happy we can play again. The council officers went over our application with a fine toothcomb and now we’ve got to spend a lot of money to make sure we meet all their conditions.
“It’s been a hard process since we started with the application in April but we got there with the support of our fans who signed the petition and the help of getwestlondon and other media. I’m definitely going to sleep well tonight!”
The council said due to a change in law in 2012, any event which attracts over 499 people, has to apply for a permanent licence. A licensing committee then had to decide but 11 people, including the Met Police, the head of public health and residents objected, leaving Channel One in fear of having their licence rejected.
Most of the 40 soundsystems at Carnival over the August bank holiday weekend are in Kensington and Chelsea but six are in Westminster.
Lauren Cass, 32, lives right above where Channel One plays each year. She said: “I’ve lived here for 23 years and there has never been a problem, no violence or any trouble with Channel One. It’s really good fun and is the best bit about Carnival.
“The people who complained have only lived here for two years so knew when they came that Carnival happens every year. They’re just trying to ethnic cleanse the area which has been a melting pot for all types of cultures for a long time. Carnival is the best bit about living here and Mikey is a great example of the peaceful Carribbean culture that comes with Carnival.”
Channel One has had to spend a vast amount of money employing a barrister and to ensure the conditions of the licence is met so will be holding a fundraiser at Brixton Jamm in Brixton next Thursday (August 14) from 8pm until 3am. Tickets, from £5 are available from brixtonjamm.org
