What did catch me by surprise was the sight of Starbucks. The appearance of high street coffee shops mark an upturn in an area's fortunes. The appearance of a real big hitter like Starbucks is a big boost to the Woolwich retail map.The redevelopment of General Gordon Square will be interesting to follow and the DLR will be a great asset to the local infra-structure. Oh, of course there's a huge glass building going up opposite the town hall.
Whilst we're in Woolwich, I must mention one gem of a shop. Harry Perry Cycles. It's a proper bicycle shop and they know what they're talking about. Once I've saved up my pocket money, I'd like to go and buy a custom made bike from them.
12 comments:
The fact that a shop like Harry Perry's has stood the test of time in a place like Woolwich shows how good they are. If you're thinking of buying a bike, or buying your kids a bike, make sure you give Harry Perrys a visit. Nothing like supporting a local independent shop, especially one where the service and knowhow makes Halfords look like...well, Halfords!!
It's not really the Arsenal's fault that it's cut off from the rest of Woolwich, but it does feel like such a different place. Personally, I think it's really good development. There was a big push to build an additional DLR station within the Royal Arsenal as part of the DLR extension, but fair play to the Council, someone obviously realised that the redevelopment of the Town Centre would be helped along a bit if the residents of the Arsenal had to leave their little oasis and embrace their Town, if only to get on the train in the morning.
With regard to the problem of the road, I believe the council have looked at the possibility of putting it in a tunnel, but the cost was just too much.
Personally, I would like to see the council employ local designers/artists to design a footbridge linking the Town Centre with the Arsenal. I'm sure something similar was done in East London not so long ago to link together two school buildings that were on opposite sides of a busy road? However, given the work that's currently being done to the junction of Plumstead Road and Woolwich New Road, this is probably a non-starter
costa coffee in woolarse has been thriving since it opened... and the arrival of starbucks is a good sign (regardless of one's opinion about that multi-national chain). additionally, did anyone notice the new fishmonger. this pleases me, though i haven't been in yet. it's good to see that kind of thing opening alongside the predictable chains.
i completely agree with linking up the town centre with the arsenal. a footbridge makes sense.
can't wait to the DLR to open. commuting will be sooo much quicker.
I have also witnessed the sight that is the new STARBUCKS finally we are catching up with Thamsmead, i think its going to be a tough fight but eventually im sure the hordes will vacate not just the upper but the lower Greggs the Bakers on the high street, im now so torn between a saussage and bean melt and a cupa warm tea and the mochafrochawochaappaciccino and a slice of CAKE!!!!!
ah sod it ill have all of them why not
Woolwich is definitely on the up and the council has to get a lot of credit for what it has done to achieve this turn around. Their campaign to get a Crossrail station in Woowlich - agsinst all the odss - will only help to turn around the town even more.
Still needs more shops on the high street - rather than just big name coffee stores.
But as everyone else says its a sign of a turn around in the town.
Rumour has it that Debenhams are moving into the old Co-op building in Powis St when it's redeveloped. All part of a development called Woolwich Triangle
http://www.woolwichtriangle.co.uk/benefits.html
I agree, it's great to see Woolwich beginning to catch up with the rest of the world, if only Plumstead High Street could be dragged along in its wake. I guess we will just have to be content with hanging baskets and a car park. On the subject of coffee I discovered a great little independent coffee shop in the parade of shops just down from Sainsbury's. Good coffee and a great buzz - something we desparately need on the Common and in the High Street.
Yippee !! I am so delighted that there is now a Starbucks in Woolwich. ..... if you go to www.royal-arsenal.co.uk there's lots of info re crossrail ( which will stop at Bond Street on its way to Heathrow), a department store, the water taxi, the olympics at Woolwich etc. I also saw in the Daily Express that 3 bed town houses at 'Royal Aresenal' are starting at £480k. Things are looking up for SE18 :0)
debenhams, debenhams! hooray!!
Hey... look at this!
http://www.easier.com/view/UK_Property_News/London/article-200634.html
Rumour has it that there's going to be a new Starbucks in Welling. Now there's a high street that is in dire need of regeneration.
look at this: www.woolwichtriangle.co.uk
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