Editing Woolwich (section)

=== Post-war history ===
==== Decline ====
Woolwich declined as a town in the late 20th century, starting with the closure of the [[Royal Ordnance Factory]] in 1967 and the [[Siemens]] factory in 1968 and continuing as the Royal Arsenal scaled back operations and finally closed in 1994. Other employers like the [[The Woolwich|Woolwich Building Society]] ("The Woolwich") and Morgan Grampian Publishers were taken over by other companies and moved away from the town. Without major employers, the local economy was affected and unemployment soared.<ref>In 1991 27% of the population of St Mary's Ward (the area south of the Dockyard) was unemployed; 84% lived in council housing. Saint & Guillery (2012), p. 17.</ref> At the same time the town's demographics changed, with initially mainly [[Sikh]]s settling down in the area, later followed by black Africans, many from [[Nigeria]]. Despite immigration, the population of the parish reached a low of 17,000 in 1971. In general, Woolwich had lost its previous vigour. In the town's shopping district, department stores and chain stores closed. By the early 1990s, the town centre had the typical appearance of a town in decline with discount retailers and charity shops using the empty stores and Greenwich Council occupying the empty office buildings.<ref>Saint & Guillery (2012), pp. 17–18.</ref> In 1974, the [[United Kingdom]]'s first branch of [[McDonald's]] opened in Powis Street.<ref name=Neate>{{cite news|last1=Neate|first1=Rupert|title=UK fast-food workers get US lesson in protesting against poverty wages|url=https://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/nov/18/uk-fast-food-workers-protest-poverty-wages|access-date=11 May 2015|work=The Guardian|date=18 November 2014}}</ref> Amidst the decline, Woolwich was still considered to be a representative English town at the time.<ref>[http://www.mcspotlight.org/media/press/preston_dec91.html Interview with McDonald's UK CEO Evening Standard 16 December 1991] accessed 23 April 2007</ref>

In 1974 the [[Provisional IRA]] bombed the [[Kings Arms, Woolwich|Kings Arms pub]] in the town. The [[Woolwich pub bombing|bombing]] killed two. During the [[2011 England riots]], Woolwich was one of the areas affected. Several buildings were attacked, with a few being destroyed. ''The Great Harry'' Wetherspoons' Pub was set on fire,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/9185012.IMAGES__The_aftermath_of_last_night_s_riots_in_Woolwich |title=Pictures of the destruction on Woolwich streets following a night of violence and looting |publisher=Newsshopper.co.uk |date=9 August 2011 |access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> though it was subsequently remodeled and reopened. On 22 May 2013 the [[murder of Lee Rigby]] in Woolwich caused upheaval. Drummer Lee Rigby, a British soldier based at the Royal Artillery Barracks, was murdered close to the barracks by two [[Islamic extremists]].<ref name="BBC">{{cite news|title=Man dead in suspected Woolwich terror attack|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-22630303|work=English Heritage list|date=22 May 2013 |publisher=[[BBC News Online]]|access-date=22 May 2013}}</ref>

The [[16th Regiment Royal Artillery]] left Woolwich in 2007, but the Woolwich barracks still house the Royal Artillery Band and more recently the Second Battalion [[Princess of Wales' Royal Regiment]] and the [[King's Troop, Royal Horse Artillery]], although the relocation of these has been announced for 2028.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/576401/Better_Defence_Estate_Dec16_Amends_Web.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220131115/https://www.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/576401/Better_Defence_Estate_Dec16_Amends_Web.pdf |archive-date=2016-12-20 |url-status=live | author=Ministry of Defense | publisher=The Crown | title=A better defense estate |date=Nov–Dec 2016| author-link=Ministry of Defence (United Kingdom) }}</ref>

==== Regeneration ====
[[File:2016 London, Shooters Hill, view - 1.jpg|thumb|340px|Construction sites in Woolwich ([[Shooter's Hill]] view, 2016)]]
Recent and anticipated regeneration in the area means that it is expected that the district, identified in the [[London Plan]] as "opportunity area", is expected to evolve from "[[Major centres of London|major centre]]" to "[[Metropolitan centres of London|metropolitan centre]]" within [[Greater London]] in the next few decades.<ref name=london_plan_f08>{{cite web|url=http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/London%20Plan%20March%202015%20%28FALP%29.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150325100005/http://www.london.gov.uk/sites/default/files/London%20Plan%20March%202015%20%28FALP%29.pdf |archive-date=2015-03-25 |url-status=live | author=Mayor of London | publisher=[[Greater London Authority]] | title=London Plan (Consolidated with Alterations since 2011), page 374 |date=March 2015| author-link=Mayor of London }}</ref><ref>[http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/downloads/download/432/woolwich_town_centre_masterplan Woolwich Town Centre Masterplan SPD (April 2012)], pp. 12–14, 60–61.</ref>

Woolwich started to enjoy the beginning of a renaissance with the residential redevelopment of the former [[Royal Arsenal]]. Most historic buildings on the site have been renovated and converted into apartments. Several thousands of homes have been built or are under construction and thousands more are planned, mainly luxury apartments in [[tower block]]s near the river. Additionally, a riverside walk, several parks, a museum, a range of shops, cafés, pubs and restaurants, and a [[farmers' market]] have made the Arsenal a desirable place to live. In 2017 it was announced that the borough has acquired five historic buildings around No 1 Street to create a £31 million creative district. It will feature a 1,200-seat auditorium for concerts and events, a performance courtyard that seats up to 600, a 450-seat black box theatre and a riverside restaurant. The [[Greenwich Heritage Centre]] will move to new premises. The site will further include offices, studios and rehearsal spaces for resident companies such as Academy Performing Arts, Dash Arts, [[Chickenshed|Chickenshed Theatre]], Protein Dance, Greenwich Dance and [[Greenwich+Docklands International Festival]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/news/article/884/new_creative_district_for_london_in_the_heart_of_woolwich |title=New creative district for London in the heart of Woolwich |publisher=Royalgreenwich.gov.uk |date=29 March 2017 |access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|first=Liz |last=Hill |url=http://www.artsprofessional.co.uk/news/go-ahead-woolwich-creative-district |title=Go-ahead for Woolwich creative district |publisher=Artsprofessional.co.uk |date=30 March 2017 |access-date=4 April 2017}}</ref> The creative district opened as [[Woolwich Works]] in September 2021.<ref name="newsshopper2021">{{Cite web|url=https://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/19310370.woolwich-works-32m-restoration-open-september/|title=Woolwich Works £32m restoration to open in September|last=Bennett-Ness|first=Jamie|website=www.newsshopper.co.uk|date=18 May 2021 |language=en|access-date=2022-06-17}}</ref>

[[Woolwich Arsenal station|Woolwich Arsenal DLR station]], the terminus of the [[Docklands Light Railway]]'s London City Airport branch, opened on 10 January 2009.<ref>[http://pressroom.dlr.co.uk/news/details.asp?id=188 DLR service change from 10 January 2009] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090304024934/http://pressroom.dlr.co.uk/news/details.asp?id=188 |date=4 March 2009 }}, accessed 13 January 2009</ref> The [[2012 Summer Olympics]] and [[2012 Summer Paralympics|Paralympics]] included Woolwich as a venue for [[Shooting at the 2012 Summer Olympics|shooting events]], held in temporary facilities constructed on the grounds of the [[Royal Artillery Barracks]] and on [[Woolwich Common]].<ref>{{cite web|first=Andrew|last=Gilligan |url=http://www.thisislondon.co.uk/standard-olympics/article-23546123-details/Olympics+minister+orders+rethink+over+2012+plans+for+Greenwich+park/article.do |title=Olympics minister orders rethink over 2012 plans for Greenwich park – Olympics – Evening Standard |publisher=Thisislondon.co.uk |date=28 August 2008 |access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref>

[[File:London, Woolwich-Centre, Love Lane, Library02.jpg|thumb|left|160px|Love Lane development]]

A large-scale redevelopment of the area west of [[Charles George Gordon|General Gordon]] Square started in 2011. The square was re-landscaped, including a new water feature. The so-called Love Lane project involved demolition of several buildings including the Post Office, the Crown Building, the ''Director General'' [[public house]],<ref>{{cite web|author=Fancyapint Ltd |url=http://fancyapint.com/pubs/pub2670.html |title=Director General public house |publisher=Fancyapint.com |date=6 April 2010 |access-date=29 September 2012}}</ref> Peggy Middleton House and Thomas Spencer Halls of Residence. New buildings in the first phases of the Woolwich Central redevelopment included: the Woolwich Centre along Wellington Street (public library and council offices, completed in 2011),<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.wates.co.uk/project-stories/woolwich-civic-offices-greenwich-311 |title=Woolwich Civic Offices |access-date=2013-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120721004243/http://www.wates.co.uk/project-stories/woolwich-civic-offices-greenwich-311 |archive-date=2012-07-21 |url-status=live }}</ref> and a 259-home housing development with an {{Convert|84,000|ft2|m2|abbr=on}} [[Tesco]] [[hypermarket]], completed in 2014.<ref name="WDwoolwichcentral">{{cite web |title=Woolwich Central, retail and housing |url=https://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/projects/woolwich-central |website=Willmott Dixon |access-date=19 July 2022}}</ref> In the same year, the latter development was named Britain's worst new building, being awarded the '[[Carbuncle Cup]]' for a design judges described as "oppressive, defensive, arrogant and inept".<ref name="Booth-03Sep2014">{{cite news |last1=Booth |first1=Robert |title=Tesco scoops Carbuncle Cup for 'inept, arrogant, oppressive' Woolwich store |url=https://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2014/sep/03/tesco-woolwich-carbuncle-cup-architectural-prize |access-date=28 May 2019 |work=The Guardian|date=3 September 2014}}</ref> The same development was later the subject of a £46.7m claim by Tesco against [[Willmott Dixon]] for cladding replacement;<ref name="Vogel-23Jan2023"/> Willmott Dixon then sought to reclaim the same amount from its supply chain;<ref name="Rogers-18Jul2022">{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Dave |title=Willmott Dixon rips into supply chain for 'dodging' £44m cladding repair bill |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/willmott-dixon-rips-into-supply-chain-for-dodging-44m-cladding-repair-bill/5118418.article |access-date=19 July 2022 |work=Building |date=18 July 2022}}</ref> When the case was heard in February 2023,<ref name="Vogel-23Jan2023">{{cite news |last=Vogel |first=Ben |title=Willmott Dixon sues Aecom and Prater over high-rise cladding |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/contractors/willmott-dixon/willmott-dixon-sues-aecom-and-prater-over-high-rise-cladding-27-01-2023/ |access-date=27 January 2023 |work=Construction News |date=27 January 2023}}</ref> two suppliers countered by saying the problems arose due to Willmott Dixon's negligence.<ref name="Vogel-16Feb2023">{{cite news |last=Vogel |first=Ben |title=Suppliers blame Willmott Dixon's 'negligence' in cladding court battle |url=https://www.constructionnews.co.uk/contractors/willmott-dixon/suppliers-blame-willmott-dixons-negligence-in-cladding-court-battle-16-02-2023 |access-date=16 February 2023 |work=Construction News |date=16 February 2023}}</ref> The financial impact of the Woolwich Central project continued to be felt in July 2024, when Willmott Dixon said costs to fix the scheme had risen from £44m to £48m.<ref name=Rogers19Jul2024>{{cite news |last1=Rogers |first1=Dave |title=Willmott Dixon says cladding repair bill on Tesco job up again with decision on firm’s legal action against supply chain due next year |url=https://www.building.co.uk/news/willmott-dixon-says-cladding-repair-bill-on-tesco-job-up-again-with-decision-on-firms-legal-action-against-supply-chain-due-next-year/5130556.article |access-date=19 July 2024 |work=Building |date=19 July 2024}}</ref>

On the other side of General Gordon Square the 1930s [[The Woolwich|Woolwich Equitable]] building was refurbished. Next to [[Woolwich Town Hall]] on Wellington Street, the 1950s Woolwich Grand Theatre (formerly the ABC Regal Cinema, then Flamingo's Nightclub) briefly reopened as an arts centre with a cafe but in 2015 the building was demolished to make room for apartments.

[[File:2015-London-Woolwich, demolition Connaught Estate 02.jpg|thumb|Demolition of Connaught Estate, 2015]]

Redevelopment around the "Woolwich Triangle" at the west end of Powis Street is partly underway. It originally envisaged demolition of the [[art deco]] [[Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society|RACS department store]], one of two imposing [[Co-op]] buildings in this part of town.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/southlondonpress/greenwich/tm_headline%3Dwe-are-with-the-people--say-town-developers%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D18139849%26siteid%3D50100-name_page.html |title=Coop site redevelopment |publisher=Icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk |access-date=29 September 2012 |archive-date=24 February 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080224041600/http://icsouthlondon.icnetwork.co.uk/southlondonpress/greenwich/tm_headline%3Dwe-are-with-the-people--say-town-developers%26method%3Dfull%26objectid%3D18139849%26siteid%3D50100-name_page.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> In September 2012 Greenwich Council approved a plan to convert the building into apartments and retail.<ref>{{Cite web | url=http://www.newsshopper.co.uk/news/greenwich/9946365.Former_Woolwich_Co_Op_to_be_converted_into_flats/ |title = Former Woolwich Co-Op to be converted into flats| date=24 September 2012 }}</ref> Across the road, the late Victorian former [[Royal Arsenal Co-operative Society|RACS Central Stores]] building was renovated and re-opened as a hotel. Further regeneration is centred on Hare Street and the Riverside. By relocating the Waterfront Leisure Centre, it is hoped that this part of Woolwich will attract new development. Other areas for redevelopment include Trinity Walk (former Connaught Estate, part of the One Woolwich masterplan for three housing estates), several sites along Wellington Street (including the Ogilby site and the so-called Island site), the Spray Street Quarter (between the existing station and the new Crossrail station), and the Callis Yard site (former council stables).<ref>[http://www.royalgreenwich.gov.uk/downloads/download/432/woolwich_town_centre_masterplan Woolwich Town Centre Masterplan SPD (April 2012)], pp. 24–49.</ref> Redevelopment plans for the Spray Street Quarter in 2018 included a proposal to demolish the 1936 market hall.<ref name="Pitcher-27Apr2018">{{cite news|last1=Pitcher|first1=Greg|title=Heritage group fights Panter Hudspith's plans to demolish Woolwich market|url=https://www.architectsjournal.co.uk/10030527.article|access-date=30 April 2018|work=Architects' Journal|date=27 April 2018}}</ref>