Paddington 25

Foreword

It is difficult to imagine that 25 years ago this bustling Paddington was once a barren reminder of London’s industrial heritage.

Today a thriving mixed-use community - the size of Soho - Paddington has been transformed into a location rich in amenity, in which the canal is centred not squandered, where people live, work, learn, socialise and play.

Creating a sense of place and identity has required commitment and imagination from all parties. Members of The Paddington Partnership have between them taken oversight of the 80 acres that make up the Paddington Opportunity Area and opened up a district previously inaccessible for 200 years, re-connecting communities. Paddington now has a stunning, active waterspace, surrounded by striking public art and traffic-free public realm, home to a wealth of biodiversity. The physical achievements are plain to see, with over 1,000 metres of new towpath, magnificent open spaces, five new pedestrian bridges, 3 million sq ft of commercial space and more than 2,000 new homes delivered. But there is another story, one in which the commercial imperative has been integrated with the need to reach out from each space and demonstrate an appreciation of spatial and social context.

The Paddington Partnership has played a vital role, one that has changed over time as Paddington matures. A highly respected and overwhelmingly successful community programme sees Paddington companies build on the achievements of developers, sharing their time, resources and skills with more than 50 surrounding schools, charities and community groups for the past 25 years.

We have an impressive, established body of businesses in Paddington, with a strong sense of connection, evidenced in this celebration of their commitment to place and community.

The transformation of Paddington continues, with the completion of Paddington Square and the much-anticipated creation of a fitting front door to Brunel’s grand Victorian railway station. The redevelopment of St Mary’s Hospital offers a unique opportunity to rationalise the Trust’s footprint in Paddington and provide state-ofthe-art care, education and research for London.

The long-promised arrival of the Elizabeth line was finally delivered in 2022, and with it came slashed journey times and boosted rail capacity both into and across London. Our position on the line has, for more than 15 years, given investors the confidence to flock to Paddington – a confidence that will continue to grow for years to come.

Tim Haddon

Head of Asset Management, British Land Chairman, The Paddington Partnership

Kay Buxton Chief Executive, The Paddington Partnership

Anyone who visits Paddington can see it’s a special part of London. I live close by and, for over 25 years, have walked and jogged through the area, witnessing the transformation of a former industrial hub into the home to some of the world’s greatest businesses. Some large, and some, like the Cheese Barge (my favourite) small but all providing good jobs for our residents.

Paddington is Westminster’s largest economic opportunity area. We are pleased to continue working with the Paddington Partnership to developing the area even further, including the Paddington Place Plan which supports better physical connections with the surrounding areas. And through our North Paddington programme, partnering with local businesses to get local young people excited about working for some of the great companies based in Paddington.”

Councillor Geoff Barraclough Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Development, City of Westminster

1998

Westminster Council designates the Paddington Special Policy Area, an 80-acre development framework for Paddington’s brownfield regeneration.

Heathrow Express services commence between Paddington and Heathrow Airport in June, running 150 services each day.

The same month Railtrack commence improvements to Paddington station to provide an entirely new customer information system together with additional passenger amenities.

Vision for Paddington seminar series is held in October with local stakeholders and community representatives.

‘98

The Hilton London Metropole commences build out of their extension proposals in autumn 1998, to create Europe’s largest convention centre.

The first public exhibition of all Paddington development proposals is held across October.

The Paddington Partnership is launched in October with eight founding developer, transport and health sector members.

As the year comes to an end, The Great Western Royal Hotel, which opened in 1854, closes for extensive refurbishment.

Westminster Council creates a ring-fenced Social and Community Fund in February, to hold financial contributions secured as planning obligations within the Paddington Special Policy Area - with over 100 local schools, charities, parks, housing estates and community projects benefiting from over £6 million of funding since then.

Heathrow Express opens a check-in facility in June, enabling passengers to check in and drop off their luggage at Paddington Station.

The Paddington Partnership launches a dedicated recruitment vehicle the same month, Paddington First, filling its first vacancies for Heathrow Express baggage handlers.

Railtrack completes the first phase of improvements to Paddington station in June with an award-winning £65 million facelift.

In July Rialto Homes and Frogmore Estates secure planning consent for the first residential scheme at Paddington, West End Quay, comprises 472 apartments.

The Paddington Partnership signs up as private sector sponsor to Westminster Council’s bid to become an Education Action Zone in July.

A series of workshops with local primary schools take place, beginning a programme of education activities that continue throughout the Partnership’s journey.

The Paddington Partnership establishes a Praed Street Working Party in July to ensure that the benefits of development extend to the adjacent Praed Street area.

Paddington Basin is drained for repair and reconstruction by Paddington Development Corporation Ltd in December, marking the commencement of the £1.75 million first phase of the Basin’s regeneration.

Pupils from Wilberforce primary school leave their handprints in the newly reconstructed bed of Paddington Basin in May, following a competition with seven local primary schools.

Development Securities purchase the Paddington Goods Yard site in May, which would later become Paddington Central.

Rialto Homes commence construction of West End Quay in June.

First dragon boat race fundraiser is held in Paddington Basin in August.

Tessa Jowell MP visits Paddington

First to hear about the Partnership’s work on construction recruitment activities in September.

In September detailed planning consent is secured for phase one of Paddington Central, Sheldon Square, comprising two office buildings and 219 homes, together with shops and restaurants, around a central amphitheatre.

Development Securities commence enabling work for Paddington Central in October, de-watering the canal arm to repair the canalside walls.

Development Securities commence enabling work for Paddington Central in October, de-watering the canal arm to repair the canalside walls.

Paddington Health Season seminar series is run with St Mary’s NHS Trust across November, showcasing the opportunities from campus redevelopment, with the report published in January 2001.

Hilton London Metropole completes its £100m extension in October, where over 3,000 can meet, 2,000 can eat and 1,000 people can sleep under one roof, opened by Mayor of London Ken Livingstone.

2001

Paddington Development Corporation secures planning consent in April for The Point by Terry Farrell and Waterside 1 and 2 by Richard Rogers, with construction commencing later in the year.

Derwent London purchase 55-65 North Wharf Road in May.

A Paddington Principal Contractors’ Group is established by the Partnership in July to co-ordinate construction recruitment and training activity across all Paddington sites.

The Paddington Partnership makes a successful bid to include Praed Street in the London Development Agency pilot BIDs programme in July, which would become known as the Circle Initiative.

In August the Paddington Partnership launches a co-ordinated public realm framework, called Creating a Place.

Paddington First opens in dedicated premises at 28 Praed Street in September, and hosts Ambition: Construction launch by Alistair Darling MP.

A visioning exercise is held with local stakeholders in November focusing on identifying short, medium and long-term priorities for Praed Street.

The official launch of Paddington First takes place in February, with over 1,000 people being placed into work.

The Partnership launches its Vision for Praed Street programme in March, setting out goals for the pilot BID at Paddington.

A magnificently refurbished GWR Hotel is re-opened by His Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh in March, following a £60m investment by owners Muirgold Ltd, becoming the Hilton London Paddington.

Paddington Development Corporation receives planning consent in April to improve the pedestrian footbridge across the canal to St Mary’s Hospital, install ramps to achieve step-free access, together with a landscaped boardwalk, followed in June by consent for two new pedestrian bridges designed by Langlands & Bell and Marcus Taylor.

The Partnership hosts an extensive series of primary school visits as part of National Construction Week on board the Floating Classroom in November.

Development Securities installs the Paddington Central footbridge in September, and opens brand new towpath, providing public access between Paddington Station, Warwick Avenue and Little Venice for the first time in the canal’s history.

Shopfronts are installed and the public realm is completed at West End Quay at Christmas.

A podium deck to facilitate construction over a site safeguarded for Crossrail at Paddington Central is approved in October.

The first commercial occupiers move into offices at Sheldon Square in November, marking the completion of phase 1 of Paddington Central.

2003

Nissan open their European Design HQ at Paddington in the spring.

Paddington Development Corporation secures planning consent for Paddington Walk in April, providing 232 homes.

The Helix Bridge by Marcus Taylor is installed at Paddington Basin in May.

Paddington Partnership launches its schools’ heritage activity programme in June.

First Paddington Waterside Festival is held in June, with Brunel-guided walking tours, boat trips, school activities and art competitions.

West End Quay is fully completed in summer 2003.

The Partnership secures funding from the London Development Agency in July to pilot methods of integrating commercial occupiers into surrounding communities, known as the Pride of Place programme.

Planning consent is secured by Development Securities in September for One Kingdom Street, a new office building at Paddington Central.

Residents move into Sheldon Square, Paddington Central, in September.

The first Christmas Challenge is held, in which local employees and companies support local charities, donating over 500 gifts and £5,000.

Danny Lane’s Lock Level Line sculpture is delivered by barge in September and installed at West End Quay.

2004

In January Westminster Council commences Paddington Bridge Project to replace Bishop’s Bridge.

Paddington Basin is connected to Praed Street in January for the first time with new pedestrian access.

An original Brunel Bridge is revealed within Bishop’s Bridge Road over the Grand Union Canal in March, carefully dismantled and stored by Historic England.

The Partnership launches an employee volunteering programme with Volunteer Centre Westminster in April.

British Waterways completes towpath and lighting improvements at Little Venice in April.

The Paddington Partnership launches a feasibility study to create Paddington Business Improvement District in May, to improve Praed Street, following extensive consultation with local businesses to the south of the Paddington Opportunity Area.

Pupils from local primary schools visit the Paddington Bridge Project in October as part of National Construction Week.

Construction of the Crossrail podium deck below Paddington Central commences in November.

Thomas Heatherwick’s Rolling Bridge is installed at Paddington Basin in August, with three new pedestrian bridges being officially launched in the autumn.

2005

The Hybrid Crossrail Bill is presented to Parliament in April.

A series of Fleming-guided walks is launched in April, celebrating the discovery of penicillin at St Mary’s Hospital.

In April Paddington First celebrates placing its 4000th person into work.

A charity pub quiz is held for staff across all Paddington companies in June, with Karen Buck MP stepping up as quizmaster.

Heathrow Connect services commence in June, providing a stopping service between Paddington and Heathrow Airport.

Development Securities submits a revised masterplan for Paddington Central to Westminster Council in June.

A schools art competition and City of Westminster College photography competition is held in June, with prizes presented by Cllr Simon Milton, Leader of Westminster Council.

Paddington Business Improvement District (BID) is launched in July, covering the Praed Street area, following a successful ballot of 300 local businesses, with The Paddington Partnership delivering through a managing agreement.

Paddington Walk is completed in August.

Development Securities complete the Crossrail Podium Deck below Paddington Central in February.

Land Securities complete the refurbishment of 40 Eastbourne Terrace in March.

British Waterways opens a Visitor Centre at Paddington in January.

Construction starts on One Kingdom Street by Development Securities in April.

Westminster Council completes and re-opens Bishop’s Bridge in June, blessed by the Bishop of London.

The Partnership hosts its first Corporate Community Involvement Awards in October.

Outline planning consent is secured for a 206-bedroom hotel at Three Kingdom Street in July, to become the Novotel London Paddington.

A Legacy Toolkit is launched by the Partnership in October, highlighting lessons learnt from the Pride of Place programme, featuring speakers from Paddington Development Trust, Visa, the London Development Agency and Westminster Council.

2007

Land Securities secures consent to refurbish offices at 10 and 30 Eastbourne Terrace in February.

Local primary schools visit Paddington Central’s One Kingdom Street construction site in February.

Paddington First celebrates its 5000th person into work in April and moves to new premises at 143-145 Harrow Road.

Derwent London completes 2 Eastbourne Terrace in May.

European Land secures consent for 4 and 5 Merchant Square in September, providing over 200 new homes and 262,000 sq ft of offices respectively.

Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust is formed in October.

2008

Consent is secured by Derwent London in January to replace 55-65 North Wharf Road with the Brunel Building and 100 new homes canalside.

Development Securities completes

One Kingdom Street in February and commences construction of Two Kingdom Street.

A team from Prudential re-line wildlife ponds at Meanwhile Gardens in June.

As part of the enabling works for the first phase of Merchant Square, European Land de-waters the head of Paddington Basin in February, with James Glancy’s giant plug entertaining passers-by while the canal is empty.

Paddington Bear celebrates his 50th anniversary in June, joined by local school children at Sheldon Square.

The Crossrail Bill receives Royal Assent in July, paving the way for London’s newest east-west railway line.

Crossrail contractors Skanska build a climbing wall for local St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School in summer 2008.

The Novotel London Paddington hotel welcomes its first guests at Paddington Central in September.

Minister

for Employment and Welfare Reform

Stephen Timms MP visits Paddington First in September to talk to jobseekers.

The Paddington Partnership celebrates its 10th anniversary in October.

The first reading, maths and science mentors from Paddington companies start supporting pupils in local primary schools in October.

Colleagues from Kingfisher transform communal gardens at Walterton and Elgin Community Homes (WECH) in November.

2009

Network Rail commences a £47 million restoration of Span 4 at Paddington station in January.

Vodafone launch their first IT support programme for local elderly residents in April.

M&S announce plans in April to raise £1.25 million for charity in 125 days to celebrate their 125th anniversary, with St Mary’s Hospital charities being nominated as the Paddington charities.

St Mary’s Hospital is designated London’s 4th major trauma centre in May.

Nissan Design Europe showcases its new range on the towpath at Paddington in September as part of a London-wide design festival.

Crossrail secures consent for a new Hammersmith and City line station and canalside exit at Paddington in November.

Visa launch their with CV and mock interview programme with Westminster Academy in November.

2010

The Partnership launches the Paddington Corporate Social Responsibility Practitioners’ Group in January, allowing companies to share best practice.

Development Securities complete Two Kingdom Street in February.

Royal Mail Group closes its sorting office facility on London Street in March, making it available for development.

Paddington hosts the Elephant Parade in May.

‘10Paddington companies compete in charity Human Table Football at Paddington Central in June.

Work starts to divert utilities from Eastbourne Terrace to make way for the Crossrail station construction in August.

Refurbishment of the Lindo Wing at St Mary’s Hospital commences in November, completing in 2012.

European Land complete 4 and 5 Merchant Square in September.

2011

Terry Farrell & Partners submits designs to Westminster Council in January comprising five mixed use buildings on the former North Westminster Community School site, to create North Wharf Gardens.

The Partnership hosts its inaugural Good Neighbour Awards in April.

Royal Mail Group submits an application for a mixed use commercial and residential scheme on its former sorting office site on London Street in May.

The remaining buildings at Merchant Square (numbers 1, 2, 3 and 6) receive planning consent in May.

Heathrow Express is named Best Rail Operator at Business Travel Awards in July and kicks off a £16 million investment in fleet refurbishment.

The application for the main Paddington Crossrail station is approved by Westminster Council in October.

North Wharf Gardens is sold to Amwaj Properties in December.

Network Rail completes a stunning renewal of Paddington station’s Span 4 in November, installing new glazing, restoring steelwork and resurfacing platforms 9 to 12 with a limestone finish, winning a National Heritage Award for the work the following year.

2012

A new taxi facility opens at Paddington station in February, to allow the construction of Paddington’s Crossrail station on Eastbourne Terrace.

The tunnel boring machines for Crossrail’s western tunnels, Phyllis and Ada, are unveiled at Royal Oak Portal in March.

European Land commences construction of 3 Merchant Square in April.

Construction of the main Crossrail Paddington station commences in April.

The Partnership establishes a peer mentoring scheme in July, with corporates supporting leaders in the charity sector.

Heathrow Express carries the world’s accredited media, athletes and technical officials as part of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games in July.

Royal Mail Group secures consent in September for the redevelopment of the former sorting office on London Street.

Visa tours local Paddington schools with Olympic athletes and one of the Olympic torches.

Statoil (now Equinor) sponsors the Tennis Masters Tournament and launches a tennis coaching programme ‘Give it Your Max’ in November in six local Paddington primary schools.

A planning application is submitted for phase 1 of North Wharf Gardens by Amwaj Properties.

2013

Phyllis and Ada, the Crossrail tunnel boring machines, clear Eastbourne Terrace in February and head towards Bond Street.

The Partnership teams up with the Hyde Park Estate Association in April to make a Neighbourhood Area application to Westminster Council.

Punchdrunk opens The Drowned Man in the former sorting office in June, bringing 200,000 sq ft of immersive theatre to Paddington.

Staff from Vodafone embark on a mock interview series with students at City of Westminster College in April.

Heathrow Express celebrates 15 years of operation in June and serves up a train-shaped cake for passengers.

A new canalside exit and plaza opens alongside Paddington’s new Hammersmith and City line station in July.

Heather Watson visits local primary schools participating in Statoil’s (now Equinor) outreach tennis coaching programme ‘Give it Your Max’ in July.

British Land acquires the majority of Paddington Central from Development Securities in July.

Crossrail contractors for the main Paddington station, Costain Skanska JV, launch a science club in July for pupils at nearby Hallfield Primary School.

The Crossrail over-site development at Paddington, above the Hammersmith and City line station canalside is approved in February.

Westminster Council designates the Hyde Park Paddington Neighbourhood Area in March.

Network Rail launch a science and engineering club at St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School in May.

Network Rail celebrates the 160th anniversary of the opening of Paddington station in May with a series of Brunel-guided tours.

European Land completes 3 Merchant Square in summer 2014.

Heathrow Express run a series of sustainability careers talks in June at Westminster Academy.

European Land unveil the Fan Bridge spanning Paddington Basin in September, designed by Knight Architects.

Tishman Speyer acquires The Point in Paddington Basin in July.

Crossrail unearth Brunel’s original engine shed, workshop and turntables just outside Paddington, as part of their extensive archaeological programme, opening up the site to public tours in October.

To celebrate the release of the film Paddington, the Partnership hosts the first seven bear sculptures on the official Paddington Trail, and invites all local schools to join us on a bear hunt in the run up to Christmas.

2015

Hilton London Paddington unveils its stunning GWR Tower Wing in January, having restored the upper floors of Paddington station’s Tournament House to create 56 additional rooms.

British Land colleagues and supply chain give The Avenues Project a makeover in March.

Students from City of Westminster College begin a series of supported workplace visits to the Novotel London

Paddington in May.

British Land extends its ownership at Paddington Central in April with the acquisition of One Sheldon Square.

The Partnership launches The Pawprint Trail in May, in conjunction with Paddington & Co Ltd, featuring some of the bears from the original Paddington Trail.

Crossrail contractors for the main Paddington station, Costain Skanska JV, transform the playground for pupils at St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School in May.

Staff from Visa make a difference across the Paddington community with volunteers undertaking three separate challenges supporting The Marylebone Project and WECH in June.

The Partnership publishes its first self-guided Public Art trail in June.

Staff from the Novotel London Paddington cook up a feast for residents at The Marylebone Project in August.

The first tech support sessions are launched by M&S in January at The Penfold Hub, helping older people with mobile phones and tablets.

The replacement for Dudley House on North Wharf Road is consented in March, set to provide 197 new homes for rent.

Staff from Kingfisher breathe new life into the garden at Penfold Hub in May, donating plants and adding colour for local residents.

Explore Paddington Magazine is launched in May by PaddingtonNow BID, promoting events, news and offers across Paddington.

Visa transform the playground at Essendine Primary School in August.

Message from the Unseen World, a tribute to Alan Turing, is unveiled by British Land below Bishop’s Bridge in September.

Network Rail and Costain Skanska

JV spruce up gardens for residents at WECH in September.

The first floating restaurant, London Shell Co, is launched at Paddington by British Land in Octoer 2016, followed by Darcie and May in 2017, The Grand Duchess in 2019 and The Cheese Barge in 2021.

British Land completes the transformation of Kingdom Street at the end of 2016, creating a greener, natural and pedestrianfriendly woodland walk.

Taylor Wimpey complete Paddington Exchange on Hermitage Street in December, delivering 150 new homes.

2017

Hong Kong investor CC Land completes the acquisition of One Kingdom Street at Paddington Central in February.

Brockton Everlast complete the purchase of Waterside House in April, home to Marks & Spencer.

The Partnership brings GoBoat from Copenhagen to Paddington in May, opening their first UK base in London offering self-drive boating along the canal.

European Land unveil London’s first Floating Pocket Park in Paddington Basin in June, featuring open lawn areas, seating, nectar-rich plants and space for ground-nesting wildfowl.

British Land completes Four Kingdom Street in June.

Westminster Council designates the Hyde Park and Paddington Neighbourhood Forum in July.

Merchant Square colleagues volunteer at North Paddington

Foodbank in November, hosting a successful food drive, collecting donations from across North Westminster and constructing a shelving system to store surplus dry goods.

To mark the UK release of Paddington 2 in November M&S invite pupils from King Solomon Academy to a special reading of their ‘Paddington and the Christmas visitor’ book by singer songwriter Pixie Lott.

Thirty Vodafone colleagues walk 600km from Luxembourg to London to fundraise for the €50,000 equipment needed to enable a paralysed colleague to walk again, finishing at Paddington in December and joined by Luca for the final stretch on Paddington Central’s Kingdom Street.

M&S support members of Mosaic Community Trust to develop Christmas products for sale at Merchant Square.

2018

Volunteers from M&S commence their reading support with Year 4 pupils at King Solomon Academy in January, which continues to this day.

The Legible London system is introduced into Paddington Basin, Merchant Square and Paddington Central in March, with nine new signs and six updated signs providing vital wayfinding to canalside assets.

The Great British Spring Clean takes place in Paddington in March, with over 200 employees from local companies clearing towpath and canal, covering 35 miles between them, the biggest Keep Britain Tidy event in the campaign.

An illuminated flotilla by artist Steve Messam fills Paddington Basin in April, with 180 origami floating boats.

British Land unveils Colour Transfer by Liz West in June, a permanent artwork of multiple angled coloured mirrors spanning the underside of Paddington Central’s Westway Bridge.

YardNine, and its funding partner, Invesco, purchase 40 and 50 Eastbourne Terrace from Land Securities in July.

The Paddington Partnership is recognised as a Westminster Lion in July for our contribution to the community.

To mark the 70th anniversary of the NHS, 70 staff and volunteers from St Mary’s Hospital were hosted by volunteers from seven Paddington companies in July with trips on the Grand Union Canal.

Nobel Peace Prize winner and education activist Malala Yousafzai inspires students from three Westminster secondary schools in July at a Q&A event held at Vodafone’s offices in Paddington.

Colleagues from Kingfisher laid on DIY workshop for residents at local women’s shelter The Marylebone Project in July, helping to prepare the women for moving into independent accommodation.

Equinor volunteers launch a Maths Breakfast Club for Year 4 pupils at King Solomon Academy in September, which continues to this day.

Marylebone Boys’ School opens on North Wharf Road in September.

October sees the Partnership support Silver Sunday for the very first time, with boat trips for elderly local residents from Penfold Hub, WECH and the Beethoven Centre, pupils from KSA primary school reading to elderly people at Penfold Hub and Heathrow Express running a dance-a-thon at Open Age.

Sellar secures planning consent on behalf of Great Western Developments to create Paddington Square in November, opening up the public realm and providing a fitting entrance to Paddington station.

2019

Paddington Bear delights pupils and volunteers at Paddington Green Primary School in March as he joined them to spruce up the school’s gardens and playgrounds as part of the Great British Spring Clean.

Mitsubishi launch their Science Club at Marylebone Boys’ School in April.

Heathrow Express launch their travel training programme with Pursuing Independent Paths (PiP) in April, helping adults and young people with learning disabilities grow in confidence and explore independent travel.

Derwent London completes Brunel Building in June, and opens brand new towpath and pedestrian route to Bishop’s Bridge.

The Partnership commissions a bespoke Paddington map with partners Merchant Square, Paddington Central, St Mary’s Hospital and the Canal and River Trust in August, to improve wayfinding and promote the district’s assets.

In August the Partnership is awarded A2 Dominion’s Community Partner of the Year.

Volunteers from Nissan upcycle old tyres into a sensory walkway and outdoor seating area for pupils at St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School in August.

In partnership with The Childhood Trust, Kingfisher hosts an exhibition of photographs by acclaimed artist Katie Wilson in October, depicting childhood poverty in London, attended by HRH The Princess of Wales.

The Partnership appoints Steer and Jedco in October to design and deliver a scheme to animate and activate the canalside between Bishop’s Bridge and South Wharf Road.

A Year 10 mentoring programme with St Marylebone CE School launches in November, with M&S volunteers supporting pupils across an academic year.

Derwent London launch their Community Fund in Paddington, offering cash grants to schools and charities.

Paddington Gardens completes in November, with 271 new homes delivered.

2020

Westminster Council completes Dudley House in February, an intermediate-rent residential scheme comprising 197 flats on North Wharf Road.

Colleagues from Mars create a multi-sensory play space at local QEII Jubilee Special School in February.

Paddington businesses rally from March onwards to donate and support local causes as the pandemic reaches the UK, giving PPE, parking spaces, office space, surplus food, IT, stationery, plants and gardening sets for school pupils, hampers and financial donations.

With all local pupil work experience cancelled in April, the Partnership worked with Paddington schools and companies to establish and roll-out an online programme of employer contact support, including CV writing and cover letter webinars, online careers insight talks, online mentoring and MS Teams training.

In April the Partnership launched an online programme of support and companionship for isolated elderly and vulnerable residents shielding during the pandemic, matching corporate volunteers with residents from Penfold Hub, Neighbourcare, Open Age, Westminster Society, Out and About Club, Octavia and Mosaic – running quizzes, telephone discussion groups and tech support.

Paddington businesses and property owners, led by Brockton Everlast and including CC Land, Derwent London, British Land and Landsec, come together in June to launch Project 1928, raising vital funds to support the wellbeing of staff at St Mary’s Hospital.

Merchant Square teams up with GoBoat London, Openaire and Haagen Daz in September to bring float-in cinema to Paddington Basin.

Colleagues from Vertex Pharmaceuticals deliver a week of online volunteering to local charities and schools including careers talks, business planning workshops and marketing strategy advice in September.

The Partnership teams up with Imperial Health Charity in October to produce a virtual art tour of St Mary’s Hospital.

2021

Whitbread announce proposals for a 366-room Premier Inn at 40 Eastbourne Terrace in February.

The Partnership launches an online book club with older local residents through Neighbourcare in April, hosted by a rota of corporate volunteers, to support residents post-pandemic.

Paddington Partnership commences an extensive stakeholder engagement series in April, partly funded through Neighbourhood Community Infrastructure Levy, focusing on ideas to improve conditions for pedestrians and cyclists on Bishop’s Bridge, with the report being completed and published in January 2022.

Paddington’s very first eating out guide - Eat, Drink, Paddington - is published in June, supporting bars, pubs, cafes and restaurants across Paddington in their recovery post-pandemic.

Over April and May the Partnership teams up with Busk in London to bring live music to Paddington’s canalside, supporting restaurants and pubs across Paddington Central and Merchant Square as they emerged from social distancing restrictions.

Merchant Square lays on an accessible film screening of The Jungle Book in August for PiP and Learning Disability Network (LDN) London at Paddington Basin, attended by 50 people and their carers.

Colleagues from Tishman

Speyer run craft workshops for children and young people with learning disabilities attending Westminster’s flagship short breaks facility the Tresham Centre over the summer holidays.

Marylebone Boys’ School

Sixth Form opens on North Wharf Road in November.

Maarten Baas Real Time clock is unveiled by Yard Nine at 50 Eastbourne Terrace in November, marking the completion of the scheme.

The official opening of the St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School Library Bus takes place in November, with donations and volunteer contributions from Derwent London, M&S, Visa, Laing O’Rourke, McAleer and Rushe.

StayCity opens their 249-room Wilde ApartHotel at Paddington Basin in January, followed by Whitbread opening their biggest non-airport Premier Inn at Paddington Basin in March, with 393 rooms.

The Elizabeth line commences service in the central section between Paddington and Abbey Wood in May following an official opening at Paddington by Her Majesty the Queen.

As part of Tishman Speyer’s Global Volunteering Day in June, 36 of their London colleagues transformed local St Peter’s CE Primary School.

Westminster City Council’s youngest ever Lord Mayor, Cllr Hamza Taouzzale, attends Penfold Hub’s Garden Party in September, the care home’s first openaccess event since the pandemic, with hosts for the day Vodafone.

Companies throughout Derwent

London’s Brunel Building host 29 Year 10 students from Marylebone Girls’ School in July, with interactive workplace visits and speed networking sessions.

The Partnership completes installation of the See Paddington narrative trail between Bishop’s Bridge and South Wharf Road in November.

Ten years of Silver Sunday is celebrated in Paddington with ten events in October, in which 43 volunteers from seven Paddington companies reached out to and supported 220 older local residents.

Lendlease’s Community Day in October sees over 40 colleagues volunteering across three sites supporting young people and children with careers and undertaking environmental projects.

IQVIA launch their life science careers carousel activities at Westminster Academy in November, meeting with every student in Year 9 over the course of four months.

Takeda launch their employee volunteering in November, supporting older people at Penfold Community Hub.

The Partnership breaks all records for volunteering in a year through our Community Programme, with over 5,000 volunteering hours achieved in 2022.

2023

The first companies take up occupation at Paddington Square in January following the main building’s practical completion.

Vodafone-led IT support expands to cover residents of local Hallfield Estate in January.

January sees M&S volunteers return to regular reading support with primary school children at King Solomon Academy.

The Partnership brings together 80 volunteers from 14 Paddington companies in support of Earth Day in April, taking to the water to clean up the Grand Union Canal.

British Land secures approval for a pioneering logistics hub at Paddington Central in May.

The Partnership launches a new series of community walks for staff at St Mary’s Hospital in May, connecting them with community leaders in nearby neighbourhoods.

Paddington Life Sciences Partners is launched in June, a new life sciences cluster with St Mary’s at the heart.

British Land Community Week in June sees 110 colleagues giving over 500 hours to Paddington schools and charities, reaching 800 individual beneficiaries.

Heathrow Express celebrates its 25th anniversary in June.

British Land completes the transformation of the Paddington Central amphitheatre in summer 2023, increasing accessibility and biodiversity, and installing stunning artwork by Adam Nathaniel Furman.

In August 77 colleagues representing 11 Paddington businesses join forces to help St Mary Magdalene CE Primary School prepare for the start of the new academic year, as it merges with neighbouring St Stephen’s Primary School and welcomes 80 new students.

Makoto Uchida, Nissan’s President and Chief Executive Officer, introduces a show car called Nissan Concept 20-23 which was designed in their Paddington studio specifically to celebrate their landmark 20th anniversary. And in recognition of its location next to the canal, the car arrived by barge making for a dramatic unveil to the assembled media.

Photography credits

With thanks to the many photographers who have charted Paddington’s development, events, community, infrastructure, people and places over the past 25 years, including:

Jason Bailey (Colour Transfer), N G Bailey (Paddington Station), Dave Benett/ Getty (Pixie Lott), Stephen Brindle (Brunel Bridge), British Land (Paddington Central), Canal and River Trust (Visitor Boat), Anthony Coleman (Marylebone Boys’ School), Peter Cook (Art at St Mary’s Hospital), Crossrail Ltd, Tim Crocker (3 Merchant Square), Development Securities (Paddington Central), European Land (Paddington Basin and Merchant Square), Caroline Field (Multiple), Matt Fowler (Nissan 20th anniversary unveil), Sean Gallagher (Aerial images), Gareth Gardner (Abundance), Malcolm Griffiths (Nissan 20th anniversary unveil), Jason Hawkes (Aerial images), Heathrow Express, Hilton London Metropole, Hilton London Paddington, Hochtief (Paddington Bridge Project), Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust (Paddington Life Sciences), Peter Jarman (Crossrail), Landsec (Eastbourne Terrace), Richard Lewisohn (Multiple), Hein Luttig (Dudley House 2016), Philip Marsh (Brunel Bridge), Andrew Matthews/PA Images (HM

The Queen opens the Elizabeth Line), Network Rail (Paddington Station), The Paddington Partnership (Multiple), David Parry/PA Wire (Float-In Cinema), Michael Pilkington (Multiple), Ben Pipe (Fan Bridge), Sandra Simpson (Library Bus), Simon Tupper (Heathrow Express), Vodafone (Malala Yousafzai), Simon Warren (Paddington Central), Westminster City Council (Bishop’s Bridge Road), Alan Williams (Dudley House 2020), Katie Wilson (HRH The Princess of Wales), Philip Wolmuth (Multiple) www.thisispaddington.com