Notting Hill Carnival Organisers Pushing to Keep The Event On

Notting Hill Carnival organisers are undergoing talks with Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea Council to asses whether the event can take place this year.

The organisers are trying their best to prove to the council that they would be prepared for trouble, in the wake of the London riots last week.

Although there was no trouble in Notting Hill during the riots, members of the public are nervous that the carnival may lead to further risks. The carnival has always had a reputation for trouble and crime. Many carnival attendees will remember the 2008 Carnival riots on the Monday evening, right at the very end of the weekend, involving large numbers of youths and injuries to police. 

Organisers of this year's Carnival are working hard to ensure it still goes ahead. The event is estimated to bring approximately £93,000,000 into the local economy.

The Londonist reported that Notting Hill Carnival director Ancil Barclay said:

'We do not have the final say, we have to demonstrate to the Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea that we have reassessed our plans and convince them we have put systems in place to deal with any unplanned event.'

Twitter user MartinSenyszak  said yesterday, "[It would] Be a real shame if it didn't go ahead."

A final decision is yet to be made - we'd like to know what you think? 

Should Notting Hill Carnival go ahead? Would you attend if it did? 

We are still gutted that Good Times soundsystem with Norman Jay isn't on this year anyway!

Photo courtesy of kathmandu/Flickr