Woolwich pub the Anglesey Arms sees new demolition proposal
A pub in Woolwich town centre that previously saw redevelopment plans refused has seen new demolition plans submitted to Greenwich Council.
The Anglesey Arms near General Gordon Square previously saw development plans refused for a four storey building on the site of the pub. It dates back to 1841.
The pub closed in January 2025. A redevelopment plan was blocked in May 2025. Now a new application including seven flats states squatters have caused damage and the pub must be brought down.
Documents claim the building was left unsecured and is in such a poor condition it cannot be restored and must be demolished.
Future custom
However commercial viability of the site seems strong given thousands of homes are approved within close proximity.
Just this week work has begun on a tower over the road, with further housing at other parts of the Woolwich Central development and the Brookhill estate redevelopment underway nearby.
Two other approved major developments are homes to the rear of the new Woolwich Waves centre as well as the Island site on the opposite side of General Gordon Square. Given all these sites will bring thousands of new residents located within a short distance, the 175 year old pub should be viable in future.
An extension adding a floor or two seems possible given buildings heights alongside the structure.
That has happened at the Ordnance Arms a short distance away facing General Gordon Square. But at the Anglesea Arms complete demolition is proposed.
Whilst the extension at the nearby Ordnance Arms has been built, the approved group floor restoration of Victorian features removed in the 1950s has yet to commence.
The ground floor is currently up for rent at £75,000 a year.
Plans for the Anglesea Arms can be viewed and commented upon here.
If the building is unsafe then I can understand thd building being demolished and a new building erected in its place.
Ground floor level should remain commercial space with possibly a pub or restaurant for locall residents to use. Although i think a lot of people chose to use the Great Harry Whetherspoons pub opposite General Gordon Square. As prices attend to be cheaper than other local venues.
Seems convenient that circumstances have conspired to lead to the more profitable option for the landlord to be the only one available.
Build a couple more floors above and restore the ground floor for commercial use. The unsubsidised new build flats can help create a subsidised space for a bar operator to open a micro pub. The residents would be buying flats in the centre of Woolwich so can hardly complain about the noise, plus there is no outdoor space on the site anyway.
I walk by this place every day. It’s not in that bad of shape. It was never secured properly. Almost like her purposely allowed squatters in hoping they would damage the building to boost his case for demolition. I really hope the council will block tearing down any more historic buildings. Woolwich doesn’t need any more ugly new builds.
Refurbish the existing building inside and out and extend the building up by constructing additional floors for the new flats. The buildings is part of the heritage of Woolwich which we need to retain.