Shaftesbury Capital, which owns Carnaby Street, is hosting a number of public drop-in sessions
Carnaby Street is getting a makeover and businesses are giving their views on what’s needed – and they’re all saying the same thing. Shaftesbury Capital, which owns the famous London street, announced a number of public consultations in December on plans to spruce up the popular shopping destination.
It wants to hear from residents, businesses and community groups on proposals for new paving and lighting, more greenery and better signage. It’s also proposing public art installations, according to a Shaftesbury Capital website dedicated to the project.
The Local Democracy Reporting Service spoke to several businesses on the popular shopping strip. They were all supportive of the proposal but want them to include a functioning public toilet.
Claudia Oliveira, 36, a store manager at Pepe Jeans, a clothes retailer, said any upgrade of Carnaby Street needs to include a public WC. She told the LDRS: “We have a lot of customers asking us where to go because sometimes the public toilet is closed.”
She also called for more security but adds the current security guards are quick and responsive. Marissa Wong, 23, runs Café Vins, an independent cafe on Marlboro Court.
She said Carnaby Street and surrounding areas are difficult to walk on if you’re wearing heels or boots and desperately need repaving. She, too, says customers constantly ask to use the staff toilet. She said: “If you have a nice toilet then I think everyone will want to keep it nice.”
She said the street could do with a redesign, new Christmas lighting and better “greening”. She said current planting, which consists of random clusters of pot plants – made no sense and were not visually appealing.
Kate Skelton, a manager at pop-up bar The Bothy Bar, said: “If [Shaftesbury Capital] wants to throw money at Carnaby Street, no one will stop them.”
Shaftesbury Capital wants to introduce high-quality and “contextually appropriate” paving and seating, according to the project website. The landlord is seeking to replace existing artificial stone with a refined mix of natural stone.
It also wants to create a “visual distinction” between the pavement and carriageway to reflect the “proportions and character” of the original street. There are plans to deliver “playful, varied planting” that provide shade, biodiversity and a more authentic “street-appropriate appeal”.
Also on the cards is more lighting to improve safety, well-placed signage at key gateways to improve legibility and strengthen connections to Soho, Regent Street and Oxford Street. Shaftesbury Capital is also considering integrating public art into facades, paving and “key sightlines”.
The company said the “early engagement programme” is to share the company’s initial thinking and hear from the public and businesses. It is hosting a public drop-in on Wednesday, December 3, between 12pm and 3pm, and again on Tuesday, December 9, between 5pm and 8pm. Both sessions will take place at 13 Newburgh Street.
People are also being encouraged to fill a consultation survey by Monday, December 15. This can be found on the project website. According to the website, the “early engagement” phase launched in Autumn.
Feedback will shape emerging design proposals that are being done in collaboration with Westminster City Council and local stakeholders over the winter.
In a comment, Shaftesbury Capital said: “We are undertaking early engagement on potential improvements to Carnaby Street public realm and are actively seeking feedback from stakeholders in the local area with a view to enhancing the experience for both the community and visitors, while preserving the area’s unique character.”
According to Westminster City Council, Carnaby Street toilets will reopen following a major upgrade in the summer of 2026. Upgraded Piccadilly toilets are due to reopen in February 2026 and Green Park facilities are expected to reopen in the Spring.
A Westminster City Council spokesperson said: “Making sure Westminster’s streets are clean and safe is the council’s top priority. The council is proud of its considerable investment in public toilets for the benefit of residents and visitors – one of the largest active investments in public toilets of any local authority.
“We have invested ÂŁ12.7million on an extensive refurbishment of our eight West End public toilets, as well as spending more than ÂŁ2million on upgraded APCs (automated public conveniences) and refreshing our neighbourhood toilets. The council provides a network of temporary toilets in the West End at weekends and during major events to address the increase in demand during busier times.”
Conservative ward councillor Tim Barnes said: “The Labour council promised to reopen the toilets as part of their election campaign in 2022. But they have broken all of their promises by selling them off and now local businesses, residents and visitors are going to suffer.
“They’d rather save a penny than spend a penny that would benefit all of us.”
Labour ward councillor Patrick Lilley said: “High standard facilities are essential to Soho and I am pleased that Westminster Council is investing in new ones. We have already refurbed and reopened the above ground, 24/7 accessible automatic convenience on Broadwick Street.
“The need in Soho is great so it’s wonderful news that the Carnaby Street toilets will be totally redesigned, refurbed and re-opened in 2026.”
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