Woolwich pub refurb underway as part of heritage project
One of Woolwich town centre’s buildings is seeing renovation as part of a project funded by Historic England.
The High Street Heritage Action Zone project covers a number of sites across the town centre which was given Conservation Zone status in 2019.
Plans to revamp the Castle Tavern – which just about sits inside the town centre – were covered on this site last November.
It’s at least the third site to see renovation work commence with a shop unit also on Powis Street also seeing work begin –
Funding comprises £1.76m government funding with £2m match funding from Greenwich Council.
In addition the First Choice café on the corner of Hare Street and Woolwich High Street has had scaffolding up for some months –
It should eventually look this this –
The Castle Tavern sits at the very western end of the town centre close to New Wine Church which was formerly the coronet cinema and built as an Odeon.
The area is a treasure trove of wonderful buildings of various styles and age.
This end of town has been struggling for decades and though is probably in its best shape for 30 years.
Not much you may think, but more businesses have opened up and with further restoration and development of underused sites here (half empty car parks don’t help footfall like new housing would) should keep that trend going.
Improving! Can only hope that the metal shutters are baaned form all refurbs, maybe toughened glass which is far more pleasing to the eye (couldnt be less pleasing than the metal shutters!). Can also only hope and pray that RBG street cleaners keep the streets clean too after all this money being spent to make the area look more inviting. And that those offenders who graffiti,(not the artistic type), litter, urinate in the street and those guilty of anti social behaviour are picked up either by improved community policing and/or cctv in appropriate places. Otherwise things will go back to same old crap very quickly.
Excellent news good to see some of the older buildings in Woolwich refurbished to maintain the areas heritage. Woolwich has some lovely heritage buildings which form part of Woolwich’s history including Woolwich Barracks and buildings on the Royal Arsenal Estate, The Gate House to name a few.
Why refurb a pub that never gets used .surely the money could of been better spent elsewhere
Investment could well see it used more. That’s really one of the main points of such projects.
Other buildings are seeing funding as covered on this site over recent months.
It’s usually the case that a business has to contribute. Others may not agree while the owners here did, so they see investment.
Finally it’s money ringfenced and only able to be used to restore heritage buildings in Woolwich town centre. It can’t just be used for this or that.
Many complain about the decline of Woolwich. Money is then bid and secured to improve some great buildings and some still complain. It looks a fantastic project overall.