Great Western Coffee Shop

Just wondering if anyone knows what the construction works are at the concourse end of Platforms 11 & 12 at Paddington? For a few weeks now I had noticed that the trains on Platfom 12 no longer passed the gateline (meaning that the likelihood of almost being guaranteed a seat at that end of the train even shortly before departure had now gone  :( ). Over the last few days the tracks have been barricaded off and they seem to be building something. Are they just extending the concourse or are they going to do something more ambiitous such as opening a more convenient gateline or building an entrance to a subway for Crossrail?

All connected with the big Paddington Square development, so yes that area will be transformed with a new entrance to the underground and a large public space by what is the ramp up to Praed Street.  The big brick wall won't be there much longer!

Details here:
https://www.thisispaddington.com/article/paddington-square-development

And a video here:
https://vimeo.com/266852286

But...but... where will all the smokers go !?

And the famous five adverts?

Please can someone supply the station code so I can get a ticket to the Paddington where the sun’s shining, everyone is smartly dressed, and an uncrowded concourse. 😉😉

Not so much location but date and time.   
4th April, 2020 - either in the morning or mid to late afternoon?
23rd May 2020, around 16:00?

OK grahame.....I give up, what are these events?

Coffee Shop AGM on 4th April which will bring the crowds to Taunton  ;D ;D

4th April also the Grand National
23rd May - FA Cup final

Traditionally quite days / times - excellent opportunity to go around a quiet supermarket. Not sure how much these remai as quiet days for "out and about".

On the Westminster City Council planning site, there are the following applications for Paddington Station:

19/09385 Removal of dis-used pneumatic buffer stops and extension of public concourse area at the terminal end of Platforms 11 & 12 and associated alterations.

19/08710 Strengthening London Street overbridge (area above platforms 11 and 12), including repairs to existing cross girders and deck replacement, minor alterations to weathering and enclosure details to Mint Wing, and associated works to finishes.

Both applications are very interesting because of the historical information contained.

Just some photos for those who haven't seen the works. I wonder if those magnificent buffers - the last at Paddington I believe - will be going to a good home or cut-up on site? They would look marvellous at a heritage terminus somewhere but are certainly not branch line style