Woolwich pub closed in advance of redevelopment
The Bull Tavern in Woolwich town centre has closed in advance of a large-scale redevelopment of the site.
It’s not exactly breaking news given its been shuttered for a couple of months, but after noticing an email alerting me which had slipped through from earlier this year it seemed a good idea to head over and take a few photos.
It’s part of the project including a new leisure centre currently under construction facing General Gordon Square.
To the rear will sit almost 500 homes, with plans to retain the pubs façade.
While the frontage will remain, neighbouring shops will be demolished as part of the project.
There’s a nice ghost sign next door for “Universal Carriers”
The Bull was also called O’Flynn’s for a while and opened around 1832.
In the past 20 years it had a number of colour scheme including blue, red and then finally grey – which wasn’t its best.
Renders of the site post-completion show alterations to street level and what appears to be a rooftop garden.
Mass redevelopment
The below image taken from the site’s planning application shows the pub surrounded on all sides by new builds.
Work continues apace next door on the leisure centre while preparations continue for Hill to construct new homes.
It’s a bit of a controversial site as despite being in public ownership, Greenwich selected to partner with Hill for housing.
The approved plan only has 10 per cent social housing despite a huge increase in households in temporary accommodation in the borough – which is costing large amounts. And of that 10 per cent, half is rehousing people in council housing already on site in homes that’ll be demolished at Troy Court, leaving a net increase of just 24 council homes out of almost 500.
Given the council has embarked on buying homes at sites nearby and at Greenwich Millennium Village to give two examples, it would be pretty odd if social home totals here was not increased.
The first park of the project is set for completion in 2025 when the Waterfront will close.
When housing work begins is as yet not confirmed. Let’s hope it’s not many years waiting and a shut pub for all of it.
I am pleased the pubs frontage will remain as part of the redevelopment of the site . It is a part of Woolwich’s heritage having been on the site since around 1832.
I think having only 10% of social housing on this massive redevelopment of this part of Woolwich is very low despite a housing crisis and thousands of people on the housing waiting list.
Local people cannot afford to buy part rent part buy properties or on their salaries of around £30,000 to £35,000 per annum..
Forcing local people born and bred in the Borough to move out of the area and away from family and friends.
The new developments In Woolwich look apalling- – different surfaces and a look of not being finished properly.Slapdash and worse than previously.
A lot of the surfaces are temporary and not yet finished.