Woolwich covered market set to become arts venue
Woolwich indoor market is set to become a temporary art venue if plans are approved before comprehensive work is undertaken to build the Woolwich Exchange development in the area.
A planning application reveals that Collective Act seek to install “an immersive art installation of sound and light. After the timed aspect of the installation for 32 persons at a time, audiences are invited to spend time in the interactive reflection space with opportunities to participate in creative and educational activities. The event is free for audiences.”
Collective Act are behind a show called dreamachine running this spring in London, Cardiff, Edinburgh and Belfast – and this looks likely to be what will be installed though the application does not confirm that.
Three month residency
Woolwich Works are involved in the plan – which is set to run for three months.
The application states remedial work is requested to start on Monday 7th March 2022.
The venue would open from Monday 2nd May until Sunday 24th July 2022 between 10:00am – 10pm” with shorter hours earlier in the week and longer hours at the weekend.”
The temporary elements will be removed by 7th August 2022.
In recent years the market was home to Street Feast, an indoor food market who left after disagreements over fixing fittings within the structure.
It was to be demolished by developers as part of the Spray Street plan which was branded as Woolwich Exchange, yet a listing altered plans. It will now be retained as part of the development and become and cinema.
Woolwich Exchange was approved in 2021 and will see 801 homes, shops and a cinema.
I think the arts venue will be a good temporary use of the old Woolwich Covered Market while waiting for the Spray Street re-development to begin. Which will also see alterations to the Covered Market.
Oh so that’s why Street Feast left. I moved to Woolwich just after it closed, I was gutted I missed it. Good that the building will be used in the short term.
I used to go here with my dad as a child to visit a man who sold military surplus, and flights for his darts. Funny memory attached to this place.