Former Woolwich bank to become fast food restaurant
The former Halifax bank in Woolwich is set to become a KFC.
Plans went in for a resturant back in February but if hoping for something interesting then no luck. Plans are now in for the former bank site.
KFC already have a branch at nearby Thomas Street. And in south east London there’s already far better places to get fried chicken than the multi-national.
This application was spotted after being alerted to another vacant Woolwich site that has seen approved plans for a B&M, however sigange has now appeared suggesting that isn’t opening soon.
Whiile looking for planning applications on that site I spotted the application for the former New Look/Littlewoods/Jobcentre site. B&M have been contacted for comment. If Woolwich loses out on a B&M that’s a major loss.
Improvements
If B&M aren’t coming that again calls into question how the town is managed and whether a Business Improvement District status is required. Many places across London have them and they help generate funds from existing business to promote towns which can help push for new businesses.
Perhaps a BID wouldn’t succeed with B&M, but it certainly wouldn’t hurt in encouraging new shops and business.
BIDs help maintain towns, put on events and encourage people to visit. Greenwich Council are rare in London in having none at all. Many London boroughs do which helps in a time of constrained funding.
With General Gordon Square looking ever worse since Beresford Square was revamped – and that square alreayd looking a bit of a mess in places already – the need for a BID in the town looks ever more pressing.
Interesting on KFC, does this not mean that the Woolwich Island site is progressing and the current Thomas Street store is looking to relocate?
Would be interesting to see if that’s the case or not!
Oh dear oh dear! Bringing a large KFC is NOT likely to bring Woolwich up! Fast Food is the past, not the future, and judging by current standards of street cleaning, yet another greasy food outlet will lead to dirtier streets and even more litter, let alone the costs to people’s health. White meat may be marginally better than red meat and processed meat/burgers, etc., but it’s still deep fat fried. Why oh why does this council not have more control over high street usage? There is also already a huge environmental cost/impact of the factory farming of chickens here in the UK, with sludge from factory farming of these poor birds leading to sludge emissions leaking into our water and river systems. These are interlinked issues which our council should not simply ignore. Another number 1 concern is that of another US-owned outlet, taking its profits abroad. Encouraging local, independently owned food outlets with environmental and public health issues at the heart of planning is the only way forward. One needs only to look at high streets which have been successful in this, and how welcoming and clean they have become. Places to enjoy by all, not to be avoided by those who care about animal welfare, their own and their families’ health, their streets’ cleanliness, and those who desire to keep Britain British-owned! Not by US corporations.
I tbink a Business Improvements District is required for Woolwich to encourage new businesses in to the town. While supporting others to improve on what they already provide.
Sadly Woolwich is not well managed and requires major improvements in parts of the town centre including the bottom of Powis Street, Hare Street, MacBean Street and General Gordon Square.
We also need the Spray Street development started so Plumstead Road and Woolwich New Road can also see improvements as part of this development.
Perhaps the Thomas Steet branch of KFC may close if a new bigger branch opens on Powis Street. Although people do love their chicken and chips here in Woolwich. So pe4haps one branch of KFC may concerntrate on take aways and deliveries only.
I say, you gotta know your audience… I bet there’s still market for a ‘Wingstop’ and a ‘Dave’s Hot Chicken’ even 😝
With the state of Powis St after the refurb I wouldn’t want to open a business there for anything other than fast food or cheap tat. It’s a right mess, have you seen the state of the rubbish bins? Typical short-sighted Greenwich not seeing that a failure to keep the place clean drives away shoppers and tenants.