The Leader of the Council Danny Thorpe climbed over The O2 with representatives from local organisations who have supported the Council with our COVID-19 emergency response, celebrating Up at The O2 reopening with reduced capacity climbs.

Cllr Danny Thorpe, Leader of Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “It’s been 18 incredibly long and challenging weeks responding to the COVID-19 emergency and our response has been built on partnership and collaboration. It’s a pleasure to work with such an amazing group of organisations who have pulled together and worked tirelessly to support the borough during this crisis. 

"We want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who has been and continues to work so hard to help our residents. That includes all of the wonderful volunteers who have given up their time to support neighbours and their community. 

"It has not been easy, but by working together we will come out of this stronger than ever. 

"Our high streets and tourist attractions – like ‘Up at The O2’ – have started to reopen and it’s vital that we all now support our businesses to reboot our local economy.

"The tourism and events sectors have been crippled by the COVID-19 outbreak. Last year was a record year for tourism in Royal Greenwich with 20 million tourists spending £1.56bn in the local economy. This year, since the lockdown in March, the visitor economy has been in freefall. 

"The O2 alone has postponed more than 120 events since mid-March but has continued to play its part during this time of national emergency. The O2 became an NHS training facility early on in the outbreak, has hosted one of the Government’s drive-through testing facilities and has donated significant food stocks to our community food distributor, the Greenwich Co-operative Development Agency, helping us to provide over 3,000 food boxes to residents most in need in the borough.  

"So many of our businesses and attractions have reacted with generosity and innovation to support our emergency response, now I am calling on Royal Greenwich residents to support our businesses.”

To help speed up the recovery of the local economy and thank residents and key workers, we have joined forces with Visit Greenwich and South East London Chamber of Commerce to launch Royal Greenwich – It’s Time, a series of leisure, learning, culture and events throughout the borough this summer. More information on this will be released in the coming days.

Support for vulnerable people or those who have been shielding across the borough is still available through the Royal Greenwich Community Hub. The quickest way to access the Community Hub if you need support is by using the online form at royalgreenwich.gov.uk/communityhub

Alternatively, you can call the Community Hub, Monday to Saturday, 8.30am to 6pm on 0800 470 4831 or email covid19support@royalgreenwich.gov.uk