Al fresco dining comes to Woolwich Powis Street with outside seating plan
Plans have been submitted to add outside seating for Nando’s on Powis Street in Woolwich.
The town’s main shopping street has recently seen major change as part of a £25 million project across Woolwich town centre. One stated aim has been to enable to possibility of outside seating.
However whilst Nando’s may adopt an outdoor space it seems unlikely many other units will follow suit even if they wanted to. The sheer amount of street “clutter” installed as part of the project all but prohibits it at many units.
That may not be an issue now at units such as Santander (see above) but with the retrenchment of banks that site could well be up for lease in a short period.
Designing the street in such a way ensures outside seating isn’t likely for any future occupier.
Alongside the clutter, chosen materials easily highlight dirt and mess. Another thing not conducive to outside seating/eating areas.
Cycle lane
This issue of restricted space continues to the west where TfL in future plan to use as part of a cycle lane, which is likely to increase conflict between pedestrians and cyclists.
The reason for such a move – which diverts from the obvious routes many on a bike would take – is a reluctance from Greenwich Council and TfL to improve (well, fund) some horrendously outdated street design in the midst of new housing.
The intention is for cyclist to head via MacBean Street and then along Powis Street through other areas of high footfall.
It’s a busy area for pedestrians right now and will see substantial developments built alongside.
The proliferation of obstacles now lining Powis Street is a replica of the areas 1980s street changes after pedestrianisation.
It only lasted a few years due to similar flaws.
Further restricted space for those on foot can be seen near the Royal Arsenal gatehouse as covered recently.
I aint walkin dahn there when cyclists are usin it iss bad. The Foot Tunnel iss now a cycle lane n it aint right all them cyclists speedin along who aint dissmountin.
The only other place you can dine outdoors in Woolwich is ViB, though it’s something of a challenge tucking into a bao on a hot summer afternoon with the smell of meat wafting from the butcher next door. Still, baby steps towards a nicer town centre
You mean you don’t enjoy the relaxing sound of meat saws and cleavers hacking up dead animals? 😂 Still, positive steps forward. Any outdoor dining creates nice life and atmosphere in public spaces. Powis Street looks 10 times better, and they’ve done a fantastic job of Beresford Square.
After so long it made Powis Street look much better. Already however the council cannot be bothered to clean bird poo off this street furniture. This leaves a considerable amount of it unusable. So many people have experienced higher council tax and rent from this council and yet they can’t even be bothered to find a way to keep it the seating clean. I understand that the government paid for this. Yet the council can’t even be bothered to clean it.
May be mistaken but I recall an independent Turkish restaurant submitting plans for the Dunkin Donuts plot to operate outside seating and were turned down. Instead, we ended up with another shop that sells training shoes.
Personally would have loved a Turkish restaurant. Wasn’t that long ago either.
I believe many of us would have… With a Turkish supermarket already in the area, it should be feasible and commercially viable as well..!