Woolwich town centre’s main public square and high street have been revitalised, made greener, more welcoming, with beautiful gardens, generous and comfortable seating and a water feature.

Set on the Thames, Woolwich was once home to the Royal Arsenal munitions, which drove its economy and established its national significance. Close to the Arsenal, the town’s main square, Beresford Square, has long been a centre of activity and exchange, hosting the town’s market for 400 years. Powis Street is Woolwich’s main shopping street. Both sit within the town’s conservation area.

Woolwich is in one of the UK’s most deprived boroughs and the town has faced challenges, which have strained already tired public realm. Residents said Beresford Square didn’t always feel safe and that the market was too dominant. They wanted greener spaces, with more seating and room for community activities.

This project revitalises Beresford Square and Powis Street. Reprofiling has addressed the Square’s sloping terrain, and reverting the market to its original linear form creates space for events. There are now beautiful gardens, generous seating and a family-friendly water feature.

Warm lighting makes the Square inviting after dusk. A rundown toilet block has been replaced by a smart red-brick pavilion with a café, public toilets, market utilities and garden. The Square is significantly greener – with thirty-eight new trees and 1,180m² of planting.

Restoration of the Grade II Royal Arsenal Gatehouse creates a sense of arrival, opening up the central gate to the public for the first time in 25 years. It establishes a new desire line through Beresford Square to the Elizabeth Line. Powis Street materials were dated, and it was dominated by bollards and clutter. Seating was poorly placed. Materiality has now been unified, with 200 bollards removed, useful seating added.

It is now much greener. Design was informed through meaningful conversations with local people and stakeholders, including the market traders. All have welcomed the changes, calling them “something that Woolwich has needed for a long time”.