High Street Curation

High Street Curation is our new programme to help improve the offer across Paddington - Bayswater high streets.

It includes:

• Retail Strategies for Edgware Road, Praed Street, Queensway, Westbourne Grove and Porchester Road
• Meanwhile On, pop-up activation programme
• Matchmaking Service (coming soon)
• High Street Rental Auction 

High Street Curation is WCC’s next-generation approach to supporting vibrant and resilient high streets. It builds on our Meanwhile On initiative and responds directly to extensive community engagement carried out in 2023 across Paddington, Bayswater and North Paddington. That engagement made one thing clear: residents want a better-quality offer on their local high streets. 

While WCC does not own high street property, we can play a critical convening and influencing role - particularly through early engagement with landlords, estate agents, and developers, as well as potential occupiers. 

The Matchmaking Service will formalise and strengthen that role by offering a curated, supportive platform that matches available spaces with independent, high-quality, and diverse tenants - brands that reflect the needs of both communities and visitors. 

Retail Strategies

We have developed a series of Retail, Culture and Economic Strategies to set a vision for ground floor offer for Edgware Road (south), Praed Street, Queensway, Westbourne Grove and Porchester Road, with consultants Augarde and Partners. 

Why do we need a retail strategy?

The Retail Strategies aim to complement the Place Strategies, by providing a focused layer of market analysis and vision for the ground floor offer. By focusing on the economic perspective, we aim to create a dynamic high street offer that meets the needs of residents and visitors, responds to evolving high street trends and fosters long-term growth and development.

Read the strategies via the link here

High Street Matchmaking Service

A Council-developed platform, designed to facilitate and streamline direct introductions between landlords and council approved businesses, and support new businesses in the early stages of opening a physical store. The platform aims to reduce high street vacancies or suboptimal tenancies and instead showcasing a dynamic range of high-quality independent brands and businesses.

Meanwhile On

Meanwhile On is a launchpad for emerging brands, entrepreneurs, and creatives to open stores in central London. By transforming vacant or underused shops, we bring fresh ideas and energy to the high street – while helping new businesses grow into long-term tenants.

This initiative is part of Westminster’s Fairer Economy plan, supporting a thriving, inclusive neighbourhood by investing in high streets across the borough and creating local job opportunities.

Westminster City Council is working with retail and curation experts, SomedayStudios, to deliver the programme that includes a contribution to fit out, business rates relief and mentoring support.

Applications are currently open to small and medium-sized businesses looking to launch a store in the area. 

Follow the link to find out more and apply: Meanwhile On | Westminster City Council

Our live stores

Cantoast Bakery at 21-23 Nutford Place

Founded by Haydon Wong and Natalie Tj, Cantoast is a London-based bakery concept rooted in Hong Kong café culture, reimagined for a modern audience. After building a loyal following through market pop-ups across the city, the duo have now secured a six-month residency on Nutford Place.

Cantoast first made its name with its take on Hong Kong-style French toast: thick-cut milk bread, fried until golden and topped with indulgent flavours. At their new space, however, the focus shifts. While their signature French toast is what put them on the map, it’s currently on pause as they explore a broader range of Asian-inspired bakes. For those already hooked on their French toast - don’t worry, it’s set to return once the team are fully up and running. https://www.instagram.com/cantoastbakery/

Sowvital at 11 Porchester Place. 

Sowvital is a house of botanical rituals, with products crafted to restore a sense of rhythm and reconnection, inviting you to slow down and engage the senses. They sell hand care and home fragrance, gardening tools and accessories. https://sowvital.com/

Yougi at 31 Connaught Street

Yougi are on a mission to transform mood and support your emotional wellbeing through scent and ritual, selling candles, perfumes, soaps, oils, diffusers and are big on interactive workshops. Sign up to workshops via the website or in store https://www.yougibotanicals.com/.

Big Sister cafe at 21-23 Nutford Place (complete)

Big Sister, vegan café was the first pop-up to be launched in the area at 21-23 Nutford Place, W1H (off Edgware Road), from August 2025. This award winning café debuts its signature French brunch in London for the first time.