Woolwich square reopens after multi-million pound revamp: A look around
Beresford Square in Woolwich has seen fencing removed this past weekend and the site opened to the public after a multi-million pound revamp all but completes.
Having heard the square was now accessible via everyone’s favourite pigeon I popped down late afternoon on the Friday for a wander about.
The project is the culmination of nearly two year’s work as part of the £21 million Future High Streets project announced in 2021 and mainly funded by the previous government.
An additional £4 million for heritage works across Woolwich was via Heritage England. A market has existed on site since the 1600 and this has always been a focal point in town.
First impressions
First impressions of Beresford Square were positive upon heading over from the station but also a tad concerning.
Landscaping looked good as did many materials used in the design alongside much of the street furniture. Those who havn’t visited in years would be surprised no market traders are on site – bit more n that in a bit.
Woolwich’s new market café pavilion is all but complete on a former toilet block. Note the rising student block behind and Berkeley towers to the rear.
One downer was seeing rubbish already pretty evident across the area (street cleaning will need to be better), a shopping trolley dumped and surfaces on street furniture tagged. This was day one as far as I’m aware!
A group of drinkers nearby were shouting and well, it wasn’t an amazing place to linger.
Some glared when using my phone taking photos (it wasn’t pointing at them). Uncomfortable was the word I’d use. Bear in mind Woolwich is the only place I’ve ever had grief taking photos for the site and my back was up. Spat at, shouted at, swung at – Woolwich never disappoints.
Other places? Thousands of photos and hundreds of trips to Deptford, Plumstead, Lewisham etc and while sometimes people ask why I’m taking photos there’s none of the instant aggression. In fact people can be helpful and, for example, let me into building sites or give tips.
None of it surprises though having worked in the town for some years. Every town sees anti-social behaviour of course but Woolwich is often out on its own – and a reason it has a rotten reputation for many that’ll be hard to overcome.
Sorting deep social issues is clearly on a different magnitude to a new square – but keeping on top of low level anti-social behaviour is needed to ensure new, expensive public space are a success that can be enjoyed by all.
Revamp
Even during that first visit there was clearly good elements to the new square such as attractive paving, new trees and one nice touch is the cattle trough now being a focal point and once again filled.
It used to be located in an out-of-the-way corner without barely a drop of water to be seen.
Whilst it was wasteful to entirely re-work a square that last saw an expensive revamp just ten years ago, reusing the cattle trough and some paving materials in the new space is welcome.
The old lighting scheme installed in the 2010s was designed to replicate tram lines which once sat in parts of the town was a nice touch now removed.
Paving on the square was quite harsh and cold but new materials now evident have much more warmth to them. It’s far less stark than the square of old.
Landscaping looks good but the drinkers nearby did bring to mind the old General Gordon Square. That had a fountain secluded amongst greenery and surrounded by street drinkers. Many people gave it a wide berth. I know as I used to work nearby for a few years and walk through it every day.
If the landscaping in the new section grows taller it’ll be the perfect place to create the old fountain mark II.
And that’s the thing with Woolwich. If a minority can impact improvements with impunity with no action taken then upgrades don’t last and aren’t well used. I saw none of the now-privatised council street staff on either visit.
Return
But a lot of those things can happen anywhere and maybe my preconceptions of Woolwich were getting the better of me, so I returned the next day for more photos when hopefully they’d be fewer people hanging about wishing I’d be gone.
And there was! It was great. One stranger sparked up a friendly conversation with a big smile. My daughter was with me and she loved jumping around.
Lots of people were sat about making use of seating in various areas of the square.
The water feature wasn’t on either day but she’d have loved that too when it does kick into life. It has been tested recently.
The through-route under the old Royal Arsenal Gatehouse wasn’t open on either day but it looked pretty much ready to go.
During a bright morning it was a nice place to be.
When the market is in full swing and the fountain active this be a great spot.
Market return
So far no market traders have moved back. When that happens they’ll be lined along one strip outside Poundland which is in line for demolition and redevelopment which may not exactly help with trade. Pitch fees have gone up ten per cent for traders.
A pavilion is looking all but good to go on that side of the square.
When the market is back the old water feature on General Gordon Square – currently covered and used for market stalls – should be switched back on.
I’m not entirely sure traders will be overjoyed to move back. Footfall will be lower and people walking between Powis Street and the Royal Arsenal/Elizabeth line won’t be passing the area where stalls will be located – and the building next door is to be redeveloped.
One more thing to mention about Beresford Square’s revamp is that a pub facing the area is currently being renovated. It looks an excellent project and that should help bring a bit more life to the square.
Overall there’s much to like about the new project. Compartmentalising different areas should work well though perhaps not if one part if left for those who cause grief to other uses.
Day one raised some concerns I’d harboured for some time but much potential is now evident. If more businesses open and/or feed onto the square that should bring a lot more life both day and night.
Not using the Royal Arsenal Gatehouse for a business that can open up onto the square remains a massive missed opportunity – and given the occupiers are so close to Greenwich Council it really could have been a key achievable goal.
That was the idea back in the 2010s which never transpired.
To do so now Greenwich Council will clearly need to be on top of issues. Clean it regularly and facilitate a place people and families feel content to pass through as well as stop and relax.
Also don’t ensure spots on the periphery don’t look like this (taken this past weekend on edge of new square).
Failing to improve spots on the edge brings to mind nearby Abbey Wood’s multi-million pound upgrade in the advance of Crossrail.
It was never properly finished and both Bexley and Greenwich council never maintained it. Landscaping is now weeds or rubbish pits while “temporary” fencing remains standing years on. Rough patches of tarmac has been put down in places.
In contrast Woolwich’s General Gordon Square’s revamp before the 2012 Olympics was generally an excellent example of getting it right. There’s a few issues but after a decade I’d say it’s been a very good addition compared to the old square with it’s ugly clutter and secluded spots few walked through.
The new Beresford Square looks promising but to remain that way getting a grip with some issues is key – from the get go. Maintaining this expensive upgrade is a must.
Gert it right and it’ll be a popular spot for many in years to come. Get it wrong and then merely a place to avoid or hurry through.
Agree the revamped pub will make a big difference. There’s a good chunk of activity and every time I walk past so fingers crossed it turns out well. Maybe give a ‘nice’ option in the way the pricey youngs pubs opposite woolwich elizabeth line do but maybe without the prices..?
Suspect the square may actually benefit from the poundland being behind hoardings then demolished with the market traders being back in front.
Not just the poundland, but theres at least one or two “shops” selling the ugliest, plasticky rubbish, right around the corner, down from greggs, which encourages a certain type of clientelle..
Woolwich used to be decent, never could it be compared with knightsbridge, but it was decent, i remember when there was a Topshop and the old M&S
Unfortunately those shops left and now more plasticky rubbish is sold at those same locations.
And the street furniture along that street lined with full-time loiterers, not even food delivery drivers but just random people sitting there for ages staring at people walking by..You see them on your way to sainsburys, and they will still be there half an hour later.
I guess its all a sign of the times. Sad.
Agreed!
I remember Fosters (mens clothes shop), Zodiac (toy shop), Dixons and Rumberlows!
It wasn’t a bad high street back in the day, but I totally avoid Woolwich if I can help it!
The area is really bad and will remain so until there is a constant police and civil enforcement officers in the area, going hard on the smaller crimes and anti social behaviour, which lead to bigger crimes if left unchallenged…
A small point, but there hasn’t been a market at that location since 1600. Before Beresford Square, it was at Market Hill in Old Woolwich (Waterfront-ish area). It was moved temporarily to the then new Beresford Square with the intention of being permanently relocated to Upper and Lower Market Streets (Market and Polytechnic Streets) as Woolwich expanded. The stallholders were happy where they were and didn’t fancy the new market streets which they considered to be out in the sticks.
Ah ok sorry will change that.
The new square looks nice and i was initially really impressed. ,But sadly I think it will soon be neglected and not maintained by the Council.
I also saw the drinkers hanging around the square in their little groups shouting and dropping their rubbish.
The new square needs to be well covered by CCTV as does the rest of Woolwich Town Centre.
It’s all covered by CCTV and has for a long time. Decades. I’ve been in the control room a couple of times. They spend lots on it but little “on the ground” doing the basics quite often.
Your assessment is spot on.. it is not the area that is rundown, it is the people that turn it into what it becomes.. i see it with my own neighbours, sadly.. ignorance is very destructive.
Graffitti tagging from day 1 doesnt surprise me, but rather, it surprises me that they didnt break in and tag it right before the opening..
And i would be more concerned about those that loiter with intent, compus mentus and looking for prey, rather than the local drunk or two..
You just have to stand for 5mins at the bustop right outside the unsightly covered market to get an idea of the loiterers. It is not a place that makes you feel safe during the day, much less if planning to use that area at night.
Have been watching the progress of the square and walked through it today.
It’s lovely but, as mentioned, there were the horrible lot sat slap bang in the middle
All drinking and basically calling on any challenge that a brave soul might voice.
One got up, barely able to walk and went through the planting as a short cut.
Until the authorities act things will stay the same. Very sad.
Absolutely it is the people bringing Woolwich down. I thought street drinking was banned in Woolwich Town Centre. They also need to learn what bins are used for instead of leaving their rubbish everywhere.
The Authorities need to take the necessary actions then maybe one day people could enjoy Woolwich once again.
Although the newly revamped Beresford Square here in Woolwich is impressive and much appreciated, it is still lacking a vitally important structure. Previously the immediate and surrounding area had two Public Conveniences . One in Vincent Road and the other on Beresford Square. Both have been removed and there is no sight of a replacement WC. The area has three main Train stations without adequate toilet facilities as well as multiple Bus routes producing hundreds of passengers travelling into and out of Woolwich(in addition to the hoards of every day shoppers) who were always able to take advantage of the Public Toilets previously available. The building known as “The Gatehouse” situated on the Square would (and still could) have been the ideal place to install an adequate Toilet Facility due to its size and location Its massive gates are perfect to securing the building during closing time to prevent Antisocial behaviour.