Community & Sustainability
Learn more about how we work to being a sustainable destination and work with partners to bring community-led initiatives to the neighbourhood.
Sustainable Values
Soho & Carnaby is committed to being a sustainable destination for visitors and our local community. Sustainability initiatives aim to improve the environment including reducing our carbon footprint, improving air quality, and enhancing biodiversity.
Our aim is to significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions across Soho & Carnaby as part of our commitment to becoming a net zero-carbon business across our entire portfolio by 2040. That means reducing our carbon emissions generated from energy consumption by occupants in our buildings by 90% by 2040 and offsetting the rest. To get there, we’re investing in energy-efficiency upgrades at our buildings and investigating low-carbon systems for heating, cooling, and cooking.
Our approach to carbon reduction is centred on the principle of retrofitting existing heritage buildings rather than demolition and development. This increases energy efficiency whilst avoiding carbon emissions and the use of materials associated with new construction.
A Place for Nature
We’ve undertaken greening across Soho & Carnaby including the installation of planters, window boxes, and a sustainable living wall at 5-7 Carnaby, providing habitat for insects and birds.
Supporting the Local Community
We support a range of community-led initiatives across Soho & Carnaby, working collaboratively with partners and contributing to a range of charitable and community initiatives. Our primary focus area is to support local employment, the area identified where we can have the greatest impact.
In addition to focusing on local employment, we invest in projects and initiatives to support those who live, work and visit Soho & Carnaby. In Soho, we are proud long-term supporters of the Soho Food Feast and Soho Village Fete. Held annually in St Anne’s Churchyard, the Food Feast is a fundraising event run by parents of children at Soho Parish Primary School and volunteers to directly benefit the school and its pupils.
The annual Soho Village Fete organised by The Soho Society is a unique blend of a classic English village fete with the flamboyant, bohemian spirit of Soho. The fete features live music, drag acts, stalls from local businesses and the Soho Waiters’ Race where local restaurant employees sprint through the streets. In addition to enhancing community cohesion amongst local residents, the highly popular event attracts national and international visitors.
Through our partnership with London College of Fashion, we continue to help young talent in the British tailoring industry. Within Carnaby, we provide free studio space to two entrepreneurial college tailors. The space enables the tailors to nurture their emerging businesses, creative talents, and design.
Tailoring on Kingly Street: Drapers Accord
Bespoke tailoring house Drapers Accord has launched on Kingly Street. Rooted in heritage craftsmanship and modern sartorial innovation, Drapers Accord brings a bold new energy to the world of menswear while honouring generations of tradition.
Founded by Khalil Khaliqiar, the tailoring house is built on a legacy that spans three generations of textile and tailoring heritage, beginning in Afghanistan and evolving through the heart of London’s tailoring community.