Evening Standard/London
Scores of west London families were yesterday boarding up their homes as they prepare for the arrival of hundreds of thousands of Notting Hill Carnival revellers.
One crew of builders told the Standard that they were working through a list of about 70 properties before the festivities begin tomorrow.
Builder Nimesh Pater, who had just finished installing a fence for a client, said: “I do this every year. People come and make a mess in their gardens, that’s all it is.”
“Personally, if it was my home I would rather clean it up than spend £300 or £400,” he added.
Business student Alex Rook, 22, said that he paid £250 for boardings outside his basement flat, which he said is just metres away from where a large sound system will be set up.
“Even if there is some mess in the garden and we have to do this, I think the carnival is brilliant. It’s only once a year and this is the only downside,” he said.
Several businesses were also taking precautionary measures, with a number already boarded up yesterday.
Newsagent owner Kan Nav, 43, plans to remain open but will be hiring security guards.
“You need to be careful, I normally have two security guards to control the crowds,” he said.
The Carnival, which celebrated its 50th anniversary last year, is expected to attract about 1mn people over Sunday and Monday.
Another resident, who asked to remain anonymous, said his neighbours didn’t take precautions last year and ended up with a laughing gas “party” in their front garden.
The retired man, who was reusing his boards from last year and fitting them himself because of the expense, said: “They had a nitrous oxide party, there were balloons out on the pavement and it was just a complete mess on the steps. We have to do this sadly just to keep the mess off.
“It’s a bit of a pain but we accept it as part of living here. There are so many advantages to living here and I think the carnival is amazing in general.”
A spokeswoman for Royal Borough of Kensington and Chelsea said the council offers a free cleaning service for affected front gardens and basements.
She said: “Notting Hill Carnival is organised by London Notting Hill Carnival Enterprises Trust Ltd (LNHCET).
“During its two-day run, it can attract upwards of 700,000 people and the Council works with LNHCET and other agencies to ensure a safe and successful event.
“We understand that Carnival has a massive impact on those who live along the route and to minimise this we closely monitor the noise levels from the sound systems, work with the police to clamp down on unlicensed street trading, install temporary public toilets at key points along the route and clear the rubbish each night from the main Carnival area.”
The Carnival starts tomorrow.
