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Woolwich regeneration

Heritage Action Zone

What is a Heritage Action Zone

Woolwich is one of 68 High Streets Heritage Action Zones across England, and one of only 5 in London, that has been given a new lease of life thanks to a £95 million government-funded programme. The fund was delivered by Historic England and unlocked the potential of high streets across England, fuelling economic, social and cultural recovery and breathing new life into town centres for future generations.

Woolwich is home to a number of historic buildings, including the Grade II* Town Hall, the former Granada and Odeon cinemas, alongside grand shopping parades and early cooperative buildings.

The High Street Heritage Action Zone was established to restore heritage and engage the community in Woolwich’s historic high street. The aim of the scheme was to attract residents from nearby communities to the market and town centre, increasing spend and footfall, supporting local businesses and increasing the diversity of what's on offer in the town centre for residents. The project was designed to complement wider initiatives to deliver investment and improvements for businesses and residents in Woolwich Town Centre.

What the High Streets Heritage Action Zone delivered

The High Streets Heritage Action Zone ran between 2020 to 2024 and delivered a range of initiatives.

  • Shopfront improvements for 10 local businesses ( a total of 16 high street units).
  • Public realm improvements at Barnard Close and installation of 5 local artist murals along the high street.
  • Woolwich Front Room, a new creative and community space on the high street, was opened in June 2022. From opening until March 2024, the venue attracted over 15,000 visitors, received over 1,000 room bookings, delivered over 500 free to access events and activities for the community and held 20 local artist exhibitions.
  • A 2-year heritage engagement programme, overseen by heritage consultants (Museum of London Archaeology and Our Hut) with support from local residents, organisations and schools. Over 6,500 people engaged with the workshops, events, walks, heritage training and exhibitions.
  • Over 1,900 volunteer hours were delivered by local residents during the programme, supporting the Woolwich Front Room and heritage programme activities.
  • Conservation works were supported on 3 listed buildings in the historic civic quarter (Woolwich Town Hall, Old Town and Old Library).
  • Woolwich Walk heritage plaques were installed on 7 buildings, exploring the history of the high street and Woolwich’s local heritage.
  • An additional £110,000 of investment in high street improvements and community projects has been secured as a direct result of the High Street Heritage Action Zone investment by the council and Historic England.
  • A cultural pilot project, Woolwich Speaks, was delivered through a collaboration between local artists and the community, delivering a new epic poem, film and poetry trail for Woolwich.
  • Punchdrunk Enrichment delivered Woolwich Hall of Fame, a talent development programme which enhanced theatre industry knowledge and skills for 10 local young people.
  • In Between Days by Merrie Joy Williams was a High Street Tales podcast based in Woolwich and part of Historic England’s national High Streets Cultural Programme

See more High Streets Heritage Action Zone resources