The director of Notting Hill Carnival has discussed cancellation rumours and the committee’s plans for the event in a new interview.
The director and chief executive of Notting Hill Carnival Ltd, Matthew Phillip, confirmed in an interview with Portobello Radio that at present, there are no plans to cancel Notting Hill Carnival.
This comes as one of the carnival’s biggest masquerade bands, Masology, pulled out of the festivities due to the Coronavirus outbreak.
Matthew said, “At the moment we’re still planning for Notting Hill Carnival 2020 but the foremost of our thoughts is the safety of our community and carnivalists. We’re paying close attention to advice we’re being given. We’re just watching to see what happens.”
Nicknaming this year’s edition “Covid-19 Carnival”, the director added, “Ultimately it’s about the safety of our community so obviously it wouldn’t go ahead if that would be impacted, but there will be a carnival of some sort. We have a huge legacy to protect and continue. The carnival community is very resilient. Whatever happens it’ll be done for us working together.”
The interview echoes a similar sentiment to the statement released on social media platforms last month where the organisers quashed cancellation rumours.
The statement said, “Carnival has faced many challenges in its 50 plus year history and Carnivalists have always show resilience.”
“Of course, it is necessary to adapt to the uncertainty we are all experiencing as government advice can change at any time. Like everyone we are hopeful that the situation the UK will have improved by June”.
Take in the full statement below.