The Royal Borough of Greenwich is starting work next month on an exciting range of improvements to make Woolwich town centre’s main market and high street a more vibrant place to live, work and shop. The improvements include: Powis Street: giving the street a refresh by removing clutter, installing new paving, more planting to complement the tree-lined street, public seating, new play spaces and better lighting. Beresford Square: transforming the market and creating a more flexible and friendly public space with a new urban garden, terraced seating, lighting and an interactive water fountain. Market pavilion: a striking new market pavilion building with a café, seating, lush planting, play spaces for children and fully accessible public toilets with a changing places facility. Royal Arsenal Gatehouse: working with the Greenwich Enterprise Board to reopen the gates of the Grade II listed Royal Arsenal Gatehouse for the first time in nearly 25 years, and lighting the building at night to create an attractive focal point in the town centre. Nearly £25 million funding for the work, and other improvements to Woolwich town centre, has been awarded from the Department for Levelling Up, Housing and Communities’ Future High Street Fund (FHSF) and Historic England’s High Streets Heritage Action Zone (HSHAZ), complemented by match funding from the Royal Borough of Greenwich. Read more at <a href="https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/woolwich-town-centre-works">royalgreenwich.gov.uk/woolwich-town-centre-works</a>

Works to revitalise Woolwich town centre due to start in September

Four inspiring new murals have been unveiled in Woolwich town centre as part of the Council’s work to showcase the area’s rich cultural heritage and celebrate the local community. The distinctive, colourful murals were made by local artists, designed in collaboration with Royal Greenwich residents, schools and community groups. An excited group of pupils from Nightingale Primary School joined Cllr Adel Khaireh, Cllr Aidan Smith, Cllr Sam Littlewood and artist Haffeera Cader Saul to unveil a mural on Barnard Close last week, which they had helped to create. Haffeera produced the “Area of Prosperity” mural following a series of workshops with year 4 pupils and local residents. Artist Ellen Strachan also joined Cllrs to unveil her mural “Work in Woolwich” on Calderwood Street, designed with pictures and stories from people who work in Woolwich or have worked there in the past. Cllr Adel Khaireh, Cabinet Member for Equality, Culture and Communities, said: “These stunning murals tell the personal stories and aspirations of our community, bringing creativity and colour to Woolwich town centre. It’s fantastic to see how proud the artists and the Nightingale pupils are of their artwork, and to see Woolwich’s rich history brought to life. “On behalf of the Council, I’d like to thank all the different artists, community groups, schools and people who got involved and shared their memories and ideas. I hope they will all be enjoyed for many years to come.” Lisa Risby, Child Welfare Officer at Nightingale Primary School, said: &quot;We were delighted when Haffeera approached us to work with her on the mural. We have a strong sense of community here at Nightingale, and local heritage is important to us, so we were honoured to be part of a project that ties these themes together. The children really enjoyed the workshop and have been looking forward to seeing their work on show. It&#39;s great to see how the flowers they have drawn have been incorporated into the wider piece.” <a href="https://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/news/article/2334/striking_community-inspired_murals_unveiled_in_woolwich">Read more about the murals</a>.

Striking community-inspired murals unveiled in Woolwich

The Council has successfully secured Mayor of London’s Night Time Enterprise Zone status for Woolwich. This sees £130,000 worth of funding awarded to the borough by the Mayor of London. <li>The project is aimed at enlivening Woolwich’s high streets after 6pm with innovative events, public realm interventions and business support to drive the area’s social and economic recovery  </li><li>The three new Night Time Enterprise Zones were launched by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Night Czar, Amy Lamé at an event at Woolwich Town Hall on Thursday 17 November </li> Woolwich has been chosen as a new Night Time Enterprise Zone in the capital by the Mayor of London, following a successful bid by the Royal Borough of Greenwich. The Mayor of London, in partnership with the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP), has awarded the Council £130,000 to develop a range of events and activities to boost the night time economy in Woolwich, supporting businesses by encouraging more residents and visitors to spend time in local high streets after 6pm. The Council’s proposal for Woolwich includes a year-round series of at least 12 ‘lates’ events – a mix of Retail, Arts, Market, Fitness and Family Lates – activating key spaces and creating opportunities for local businesses. It also features a low-level sustainable lighting scheme connecting the town centre and the Royal Arsenal, improving safety and providing wayfinding routes. Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich said: “Local businesses are the backbone of our high streets and communities and they are key drivers of social and economic recovery. As they face rising operating costs amid the cost of living crisis, they need our support more than ever. Our priority is to develop a vibrant, diverse and welcoming night-time economy in Woolwich that benefits our businesses and residents. “We are delighted to have the support of the Mayor of London’s Night Time Enterprise Zone. We aim to build confidence in the town centre as a night time destination, connecting the growing night time activity on the Arsenal with the town centre and enhance Woolwich’s profile as a &#39;lates&#39; destination. Celebrating Woolwich’s rich culture, heritage and local stories will be central to this. We look forward to working in partnership with local organisations to make this vision a reality, making sure every pound is used to bring enduring benefits for businesses and residents in the area.”  Councillor Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy Business and Skills said: “The Night Time Enterprise Zone will boost businesses in Woolwich, giving them more opportunities to increase income and footfall and explore new ways of doing business later into the evening. The Elizabeth line opening earlier this year has made Woolwich a better connected town centre, attracting new people to the area. To capitalise on this increased activity, we want to deliver an exciting, year-round mix of events and extend opening times to encourage a diverse range of people to make use of everything Woolwich has to offer, spend quality time in local businesses and enjoy a fun and safe evening out with friends, family and colleagues.” Woolwich was launched as one of three new Night Time Enterprise Zones in the capital, alongside Bromley town centre and Vauxhall, at an event organised by the Greater London Authority at the Woolwich Town Hall on Thursday 17 November.  The Night Time Enterprise Zone programme comes into action next month with a series of Christmas markets open into the evening, creating a festive atmosphere and encouraging local shopping. Amy Lamé, Night Czar, said: “Our city is incredibly active at night, but too often our high streets shut down from 6pm, offering no reason for people to be there. We have an opportunity to work in partnership to boost local businesses, communities and the wellbeing of night workers across the capital. Through our Night Time Enterprise Zone programme we want to help reimagine our high streets with innovative ideas and help councils, communities and businesses to pioneer better ways of living, working and doing business.”

Woolwich named as Mayor of London’s new Night Time Enterprise Zone to boost local businesses

Investing in Woolwich

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Woolwich Town Centre

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