The council’s long-term investment in Woolwich town centre has reached another milestone with the opening of independent café Bob's Your Uncle in the Market Pavilion at Beresford Square.
The award-winning family-run business has opened its newest café in the heart of Beresford Square, bringing high-quality food and drink to one of south east London's fastest-changing town centres and creating a welcoming new destination for residents, workers and visitors.
Councillors Asli Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Economy, Town Centres and Co-operatives, Tom Creswell, Cabinet Member for Planning and Development, and the Mayor of Greenwich, Councillor David Gardner, visited the café to celebrate its opening.
The opening demonstrates how the council's investment is translating into new businesses, more activity and growing confidence in Woolwich town centre.
Alongside the transformation of Beresford Square and Powis Street, the opening of the state-of-the-art Woolwich Waves leisure centre earlier this year, improvements to public spaces and a growing programme of events, it forms part of a long-term vision to create a greener, more welcoming and better-connected town centre that supports local businesses and attracts more people to live, work, visit and invest.
Councillor Asli Mohammed, Cabinet Member for Economy, Town Centres and Co-operatives, said:
"The opening of Bob's Your Uncle is another sign of the confidence returning to Woolwich. Independent businesses are at the heart of thriving town centres, and we're delighted to welcome another fantastic local business to Beresford Square.
"We're creating a town centre where businesses can thrive, people want to spend time and residents can feel proud of where they live. Investments like this strengthen our local economy, create jobs and give residents, workers and visitors even more reasons to spend time in Woolwich while supporting the historic market and surrounding businesses."
Councillor Tom Creswell, Cabinet Member for Planning and Development, said:
"The Market Pavilion was always intended to be much more than a building. It was designed as a new civic landmark that complements Woolwich's historic market, reconnects people with Beresford Square and creates a welcoming gateway into the town centre.
"Seeing it brought to life by an award-winning independent business is another important milestone in Woolwich's regeneration. From Woolwich Waves and the transformation of Beresford Square and Powis Street to the exciting opportunities still to come, we're investing in Woolwich's future and creating high-quality places that support local businesses, attract further investment and make the town centre an even better place to live, work and visit."
Andy Bytniewski and Adrian Bytniewski, Co-founders and Owners of Bob's Your Uncle, said:
"Bringing Bob's Your Uncle to Woolwich feels like becoming part of a new family. We love creating spaces where people can slow down, connect and enjoy great food made with care. Woolwich has an incredible community spirit and we're excited to become part of its future - one cup of coffee at a time."
Designed by award-winning architects Studio Weave and built by Elite Landcape, the striking Market Pavilion forms a new focal point at the north-west corner of Beresford Square. Its distinctive stepped brick arches draw inspiration from Woolwich's industrial heritage, creating a contemporary civic landmark that provides a welcoming gateway to the historic market alongside accessible public facilities and an independent café at its heart. Conceived as much more than a building, the pavilion helps reconnect Beresford Square with the Royal Arsenal and encourages people to spend more time in the town centre.
The pavilion was delivered through the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government's Future High Streets Fund, which invested £17.1million in the regeneration of Beresford Square, Powis Street, the Market Pavilion and the future affordable creative workspace at the Old Town Hall.
A further £46k from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund and the Mayor of London supported the fit-out of the café, which was done by Woodnut Construction. Office S&M designed the café’s interior.
Since opening, the pavilion has received national and international recognition for its distinctive design and contribution to the transformation of Woolwich town centre.
Bob's Your Uncle was Highly Commended in the Royal Borough of Greenwich Business Awards 2026 in the Food and Drink Venue of the Year category. Established in South Croydon in 2019 before expanding to Eltham in 2022, the family-run business is known for its high-quality coffee, brunch menu, fresh bakes and commitment to sustainability and community.