Former Woolwich RACS and current hotel site to see commemorative plaque

The former Central Stores of the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society building in Woolwich will see a plaque attached commemorating its history.

The Grade II listed building is now home to a Travelodge hotel with other commercial units facing Powis Street.

Construction of the local landmark begun in 1903 and lasted until 1926 following design from Frank Bethell. It features the society’s motto (Each for all and all for each) alongside a statue of co-founder Alexander McLeod.

McLeod has a school named after him in Abbey Wood on the co-op estate comprising over 1,000 homes located close to where the co-op store is still located.

The application’s Design and Access Statement states its “symmetrical façade features a central copperdomed clock tower and intricate terracotta decoration in a free Italian Renaissance style.

“The building is distinguished by its architectural coherence and elaborate detailing, pioneering in its use of terracotta”.

This latest application is part of a wider project for a Woolwich Walk network of signs covering historical sites and architecture of the Woolwich Conservation Area adopted in 2019.

Greenwich Council decided to plant trees all along the street outside obscuring one of Woolwich’s finest buildings. Now we all love trees, but there? And blocking views of almost the entire frontage.

After closing I seem to recall it becoming used by Greenwich council for while. The ground floor at least when I had to visit during time at college for some document or other.

Jewells of Woolwich

It’s been said before but this end of Woolwich really is chock full of early 20th century beauties from the RACs to the art deco former co-op over the road.

Then there’s barely known little alleys leading to Furlongs garage and characterful industrial buildings.

Then we get to the wonderful two former cinemas this end of town.

Fortunately many of these buildings have not only survived but seen revamped despite threats over the years.

In the 2000s there were plans to demolish the art-deco former co-op. Now its restored.

A cafe formerly Burton’s on Hare Street has also been refurbished thanks to a grant from Heritage England.

And of course the two wonderful inter-war former cinemas site at the western end of the town centre.

My earliest cinema memories are of the old Odeon (known as the Coronet by then) and it’s sense of faded grandeur was spellbinding.

One former RACS building yet to be renovated remains on Powis Street after a decade of plans for a pub went nowhere.

Recently it was sold – so maybe this building will continue the trend of renovations and restoring beautiful buildings throughout the area.

Details of the plaque to be attached to RACS can be found here

Running a site alone takes time and a fair bit of money. Adverts are far from enough to cover it and my living costs as a private renter.