This is Notting Hill. Just days before
one of Europe's largest street
festivals, Notting Hill Carnival is set
to take place in the area. Here, where
residents live, dozens of houses are
boarded up with large wooden boards and
metal railings, whereas more touristy
areas like Portoella Road are still
bustling. The streets are eerily empty.
All that can be really heard is the
drilling from boarding being put up
along residents houses. Lots of
residents actually leave the area during
the bank holiday weekend to get away
from the disruption of the event where
over a million people are expected to
attend. I've come down to speak to
residents and understand their thoughts
on the street party. One group of
anonymous residents said the event has
outgrown the area and it's no longer for
the community. They said it needs to go
away. It is too big now and what they
have done is put it in a small confined
area. It's getting dangerous. Over the
years, they have experienced
disturbances, including people urinating
in their front gardens, taking drugs,
and committing acts of violence on their
doorsteps. Another 41-year-old resident,
Olivia Fanner, said, "When carnival is
finished, it's an absolute mess. It
stinks for about a week, and there's
rubbish everywhere, but I do enjoy it."
Although some residents complain of the
dangers and disruptions of carnival,
many recognize its cultural significance
in their community. One resident said,
"If you take carnival away, you take the
vibe away." Nat El Maspahi, 51, a
retired civil servant, said, "I'm just
used to having carnival in the area.
I've been here since 1979, and it's part
of the heritage. But the future of the
carnival remains under threat as issues
with safety and funding for next year's
event are being addressed by the Met and
Kensington and Chelsea Council. While
many residents have fled the area and
the future of Carnival remains
uncertain, millions are set to hit the
streets and celebrate this bank holiday
weekend.