Set on the Thames, the southeast London market town of Woolwich was once home to the Royal Arsenal munitions. During its height, the Arsenal employed 120,000 people and it drove the town’s economy, establishing its national significance.

The proximity of the Arsenal to the town’s main square, Beresford Square, meant that the Square itself has long been a centre of activity and exchange. Historically, the tram crossed here and now the Elizabeth Line serves it. Powis Street, Woolwich’s main shopping street, also connects to the Square. Both Beresford Square and Powis Street sit at the heart of Woolwich’s conservation area. The Square has been home to the town’s market for 400 years.

In recent times, Woolwich has faced significant challenges and the town is in one of the UK’s most deprived boroughs. These economic conditions put further strain on already tired public realm. Local people said Beresford Square didn’t always feel safe. It was widely felt that the market had come to dominate, leaving little room for other activities. Residents wanted greener spaces and more seating.

This regeneration revitalises both Beresford Square and Powis Street so that Woolwich’s diverse population can enjoy them again. Reprofiling has successfully addressed the Square’s sloping terrain, and reverting the market to its original linear form means that there is now space to host a year-round programme of events, as well as beautiful, substantial gardens, generous seating and a splash pad for family fun. Warm new lighting makes the Square feel inviting after dusk. A run down toilet block has been replaced by an elegant brick pavilion with a new café, public toilets, market facilities and garden.

Restoration of the Grade II listed Royal Arsenal Gatehouse creates an impressive sense of arrival, opening up the central gate and establishing a new desire line through Beresford Square to the Elizabeth Line. It is the first time the gates have opened to the public in 25 years. New lighting makes the Gatehouse a focal point.

Powis Street’s materials felt dated and the space was dominated by bollards and clutter. Existing seating was poorly placed and little used. The new designs have unified materiality. Bollards have been removed and seating added where people will use it. It is now much greener. The hours of pedestrianisation are extended to support the night-time economy.

Residents and market traders have welcomed the changes, calling it “uplifting”, “absolutely amazing” and “something that Woolwich has needed for a long time”. Changes have helped to increase footfall, supporting the local economy.

Sustainability and social value

The sustainability strategy focused on retaining and recycling as much material on site as possible. Existing paving was lifted, crushed, and repurposed as substrate, with 60% of all paving reused. Granite blocks lifted from Beresford Square became seating on Powis Street and steppingstones in the Pavilion Gardens.

Previously dominated by impermeable surfaces, the area now incorporates SuDS and raingardens to manage stormwater. Across Beresford Square, planting has transformed degraded, hardscaped public realm. Two new urban gardens feature robust, drought-tolerant plants, strengthening climate resilience, improving biodiversity, and creating valuable new habitats.

New terraces feature raised planters beneath existing trees, planted with drought-tolerant varieties selected to withstand hot summers. A ribbon of trees and planting creates a strong green edge along Beresford Street. The project includes thirty-eight new trees and 1,180 m² of new planting.

Air quality monitoring revealed elevated nitrogen dioxide concentrations on the eastern edge of Beresford Square, where it meets a heavily trafficked street. Strategic tree and plant placement in this area acts as a filter for pollutants.

Mature trees running the length of Powis Street have been retained, providing shade and structure. New planting and comfortable, better-placed seating encourages sociability and increased dwell times.

Engagement for this project was designed to reach as many people as possible, with a focus on the market traders. The project team worked with local disability and inclusive/accessibility groups, who all welcomed the approach including the step-free access across Beresford Square.

The recent changes to Beresford Square and Powis Street are fantastic examples of positive urbanism, demonstrating the value of valuing and investing in public space and of listening to local needs.

Project team:
Client: Royal Borough of Greenwich
Landscape Architect: LDA Design
Architecture: Studio Weave
Lighting Design: Michael Grubb Studio
Community Engagement: ECF
Civil Engineering: Civic
Project Management: Hadron Consulting
Cost Consultants: Gleeds
Contractor: Elite Landscapes
Landscape Delivery Architect: Studio Bosk
Water Feature: Fountains Direct

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