Praed Street Place Strategy

Praed Street - High Street Place Strategy

The High Street Place Strategy for Praed Street sets out a design vision, strategy and pipeline of projects that address multiple spatial, environmental, cultural, community and economic opportunities.

The Place Strategy brings the Westminster High Streets Framework (themes, strategic objectives and recommendations) to the specific context of Praed Street. It will propose and guide the development of project ideas to enhance the high street's particular assets, address its specific needs and unlock its potential for the present and future. 

The Place Strategy objectives are to:

1. Establish a set of design principles informed by Praed Street’s local character and celebrate its identity and heritage;
2. Bring together and clearly communicate the ambitions of local communities and stakeholders;
3. Create a clear plan to coordinate potential projects that can drive positive change for the future of Praed Street.

Place Strategy Area

Praed Street sits at the heart of Paddington and serves as a major gateway to London. It is a lively connection to the area’s diverse mix of shops, cafés, hotels and homes. Its character blends historic architecture with the energy of a busy transport hub and a future centre for life sciences, technology and health. However, the street faces several traffic and public realm challenges and a retail mix dominated by low-market occupiers, which contribute to a fragmented identity.

The Place Strategy is now complete, incorporating the feedback received, presenting a plan and design guidance to coordinate future projects on Praed Street. 

You can view it here: 

Previous Engagement

In 2023, we heard your feedback on the Westminster High Streets Framework and your views on the challenges, strengths and priorities for Praed Street. We have also gathered data and information in an evidence base to help us understand Praed Street of today. This has informed the vision and design objectives for the Place Strategy. 

You can view the 2023 Engagement Report here: Have Your Say Today - You Said, We Did - Paddington-Bayswater High Streets 

In Summer 2025, we launched a public engagement to get feedback on the draft Place Strategy for Praed Street and ensure it reflects the local needs of communities and stakeholders. Follow the link to find out more and respond.

Project team

Praed Street Place Strategy will be developed by Westminster City Council alongside an appointed team of design consultants:

• Turner Works - Architects and Urban Designers
• Studio GB - Landscape Architects
• NRP - Transport Consultants
• Lacuna - Public Art Consultants
• Augarde and Partners - Retail Strategy

Contact the project team

If you have any queries, or would like more information, please contact us via email: highstreets@westminster.gov.uk