Open days for the curious at former toy museum and shop

Those of you curious about what the inside of a nineteenth-century building looks like can have the chance to have a peek this month when its doors open to the public.

Number 41 Whitfield Street was for a great many years one half of Pollock’s Toy Museum and Shop and was joined to its older sibling, the Grade II listed number 1 Scala Street.

Things changed a few years ago with the museum and shop shutting it doors and setting up elsewhere.

Even longer ago number 41 was part of the neighbouring pub, as you can probably tell by its architecture.

Now the building is striking out on its own and new owner Boyan Marinkovic is inviting local people to pop in and have a nose around before he turns it into a small hotel — and who knows what else? — if he gets planning permission.

“We would like to invite you to a Community Open House to see the space, hear about our plans for the building, and share a bit of local history together,” says Marinkovic.

On offer is a brief guided tour and some refreshments.

“Whether you’ve lived in Fitzrovia for forty years or four days, we would value the chance to meet you and hear your stories about this iconic corner of London.”

“We look forward to meeting you all.”

41 Whitfield Street open days: 10am to 6pm, Monday 16 and Tuesday 17 March 2026.

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