Introduced in 2005, this cumulative impact policy was meant to address concerns about large numbers of people leaving an area at night and the resulting pressure on transport infrastructure, street cleaning services and police resources, combined with an increase in public nuisance and crime and disorder.

Commenting on a licensing application is known as 'making a representation'. You can comment on applications for:

• new premises licences
• variation of a premises licences
• review of a premises licence

You can support or oppose applications. You must comment on how the application could affect the licensing objectives, which are:

• prevention of crime and disorder
• protection of children from harm
• public safety
• prevention of nuisance

Your comments must be reasonable.

The council will grant a premises licence if they don’t receive any representations during the 28 day public consultation.

What happens next

The council will review your comments to ensure it is relevant to the licensing objectives. We will then send your comments to the applicants.

If the applicant doesn’t deal with your concerns, the application will be discussed at a licensing panel. You will be invited to attend and tell the panel about your concerns.

Under the Licensing Act 2003, each Licensing Authority is required to publish a statement of its licensing policy every five years.

Statement of Licensing Policy 2017 to 2022

The council's statement sets out the principles they will apply when carrying out their licensing functions. It plays an important role in their wish to manage alcohol in terms of regulation and public health concerns.

It sets out how licensed premises should operate and contributes towards achieving:

• reduced levels of crime
• a vibrant cultural and leisure offer for residents, businesses and visitors that is safe and attractive

Our statement expires on 30 January 2022.

Download: Statement of Licensing Policy 2017 to 2022 (PDF)

You will need a temporary event notice (TEN) if you want to:

• sell or supply alcohol
• provide entertainment such as live or recorded music, or dancing
• sell hot food or drink between 11pm and 5am

There are some restrictions. The event cannot:

• have more than 499 people present at any time including staff
• last longer than 7 days or 168 hours

Apply for a temporary event notice

Read the terms and conditions before starting your application.

You must apply at least 10 working days before your event or between 5 and 9 working days for a late TEN.

You will have to pay a fee of £21.

Apply as a resident

Apply as a business

For events in a public space, you must also get permission from our events team.

What happens next

Our environmental health team and the police have 3 days to check your application.

If they object to your application, we will refer your application to a licensing panel hearing.

If you are applying for a late TEN we will refuse your application.

If we don’t receive any objections within 3 days, we will approve your TEN by email.

Despite the fact that Camden Town has had a cumulative impact policy in place for 14 years, Camden Market continually apply for new licenses, every year, throughout the year, and if no residents make a representation against the applications then - The council will grant a premises licence if they don’t receive any representations during the 28 day public consultation.

This is an unfair burden on residents, and the representation process becomes more time consuming when it becomes a hearing. Residents lives become dictated by representation deadlines and hearing dates, with plenty of bureaucratic hurdles put in place as procedure.

The imbalance of burden placed by council licensing procedure can be illustrated by the fact that the license applicant can change the date of hearings, but those making representations cannot.