Published: Thursday, 20th May 2021

The Royal Borough of Greenwich has received over £17million in Government funding from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to boost Woolwich town centre.

The funding comes on top of the £91.59million already being invested in council-run projects like the Woolwich Leisure Centre Scheme, refurbishment of Tramshed Theatre and Woolwich Works.  

This major investment will support Woolwich to recover from the pandemic and help transform the town centre into a vibrant place to live, work, experience and shop. Geographically, this will be centred on the Old Town Hall, Powis Street and Beresford Square.    

Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Good Growth, said:   

“The Future High Street Fund is just one piece of the jigsaw when it comes to our ambitious vision and commitment to investing in Woolwich. Construction has already started on our state-of-the art leisure centre, we’re going to be sensitively restoring the much-loved Tramshed Theatre, we’ve also successfully bid for funding from Historic England’s High Street Heritage Action Zone and Woolwich Works, London’s most exciting new events venue, is opening in September.  

“Everything we’re doing is to attract residents to the market and the town centre, increasing spend and footfall, supporting local businesses and increasing the diversity of what's on offer – so when Crossrail opens, we’re ready.”  

As part of its plans, over the next three years, to make Woolwich more attractive to businesses and improve public spaces the Council will:  

  • Repurpose the Old Town Hall to create new workspace  
  • Enhance the historic Royal Arsenal Gatehouse to make it a focal point and entrance to the town centre - exploring options for a cafe on the ground floor and improve workspace on the first floor 
  • Provide new workspace in Green’s End Corner in partnership with Transport for London   
  • Enhance Beresford Square and install new semi-permanent market stalls  
  • Improve public space in Beresford Square and Powis Street by decluttering and making it greener 
  • Connect the Crossrail station to the town centre via Beresford Square market  
  • Celebrate Woolwich’s historic, architectural and cultural heritage. 

The Future High Streets Fund was launched in December 2018 and is a key part of the Government’s plan to renew and reshape town centres – making them a more attractive place to live, work and visit. £107 million of the Future High Streets Fund has been allocated to support the regeneration of heritage high streets. The Future High Streets Fund is just one of the ways the Government is supporting the retail and hospitality sector. During the pandemic, the Government made it easier for areas to adapt to the challenges they face.