Former art deco Woolwich co-op’s current owner seeks wider uses for site
The owners of a former co-op in Woolwich are seeking to broaden potential use of the site after nearly a decade of vacancy since the building was refurbished.
The former department store on Powis Street built and operated by the co-op for much of the 20th century who formerly occupied all floors.
Built at the end of the 1930s by the Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society (RACS) it clung on until the 1990s and was always a fascinating place to visit as a child.
Now proposals would see the unit change to use class E, which offers a wider possibility of usage.
It’s a gorgeous art deco building. The building was refurbished about a decade ago with all floors above street level converted to residential, with an extension above.
Lost glory
This stretch of Powis Street is a shadow of its former self, with plans on either side of the former department store long planned but little has happened. Next door is another former co-op building which pub group Antic submitted numerous plans to convert. It never happened.
On the other side developers evicted shops which have sat empty on the site for around a decade including the former Furlongs buildings.
Now there’s another plan for Mortgramit square and shops facing Powis Street. Will it happen anytime soon? I wouldn’t bet on it.
This end of town still has enormous potential with many wonderful buildings and one day it will get there, but many developers here are experts in doing nothings for many years.
The area also has the former Odeon cinema which many may remember as the Coronet as well as the old Granada. Both are exquisite.
Slow going
Mortgramit square id one of many Woolwich sites that have gone nowhere for an age. See also the Macbean Street site (15 years), Woolwich DLR sites (16 years), the eastern end of Woolwich Elizabeth line station (11 years) as well as Woolwich Exchange (20 years).
Oh, and the island site. In many cases planning approval long given and sat on without any action for 10-20 years, if not more.
Plans for the art deco former co op site can be viewed here.
I would love to see this beautiful art deco building brought back in to use on Powis Street and wonder what the ground floor could be used for. There are lovely homes on the upper floors
This end of Powis Street and Neighbouring Hare Street are in need of refurbishment to regenerate this end of Woolwich.
They also need to work witb developers and planning department to see if they can make progress on the Mortgramit Square and Macbean Street sites so planning permission can be granted and construction can start in the near future. Otherwise I can see these sites left undeveloped for another 10 to 20 years. As thete seems no sense of urgency to redevelop these sites despite the local labour MP for Woolwich Matthew Pennycook being the Minister For Housing.
I agree the end of Powis Street and Hare Street are in need of upgrading to bring them in line with the improvenments on the rest of Powis Street and Beresford Square.
The old RACS (COOP) is a nice building with lovely art decor features which need to be retained along with other buildings that have historical importance and remind us of what Woolwich used to be like.
I do agree however that the Macbean Street and Mortgramit Square sites will probably remain undeveloped for years.
Like the old building on the corner of Wellington Street with Thomas Street which I.think was originally a bank then used by Greenwich university or the Businsses Island Site that has been left undeveloped for years and has now fallen into a state of disrepair and becoming an eye soar.
The priority for Greenwich Council and planners seem to be for student accommodation rather than new homes for local people on the housing waiting list