How Greenwich has changed in the last 15 years – with photos

We took to Google to compare photos to see how Greenwich looked 15 years ago compared with the present day.

From the loss of memorable shops to the relocation of popular eateries, Greenwich has undergone some changes over the past decade and a half.

Nauticalia then Gail’s

24-25 Nelson Road was formerly home to Nauticalia, a popular shop selling maritime memorabilia and collectables.

The shop was branded as the “First Shop in the World” due to its location in Greenwich at 4/10 of a minute West of the Prime Meridian.

The shop was there up until September 2020 when it was eventually boarded up, and was later taken over by bakery chain Gail’s in 2022 which is still there today.

Meet Bernard then Clarendon Fine Art

Located between 22 – 23 Nelson Street was the former Meet Bernard fashion store, which can be seen on Google Maps from 2008 up until September 2020.

The Greenwich store opened in 2006 before closing in 2020, and was later taken over by art gallery Clarendon Fine Art in 2022.

Bar du Musee then Grind

Number 17 – 19 Nelson Road has undergone some changes in the last 15 years, originally the unit was owned by Bar de Musee at number 17 and George of Greenwich at number 19.

According to Street View, Bar du Musée Café later extended, taking over number 19 Nelson Street.

The business later closed in September 2012 and was taken over by Jamie’s Italian in October that year.

In 2018 Jamie’s closed and the unit was later taken over by Grind in September that year, serving coffee along with a menu of cocktails.

Café Sol then Bill’s

Number 13 Nelson Road was formerly occupied by Tex Mex restaurant and cocktail bar Café Sol, which first opened its doors in 1992 and remained for 22 years up until 2014.

The unit was then taken over by chain restaurant Bill’s, which opened in March 2016 serving healthy meals with seasonally changing specials.

Bullfrogs then Postmark

Number 12 Nelson Road was formerly occupied by popular shoe shop Bullfrogs that sold a range of brands like Converse, Flys and Hush Puppy.

It was located on Nelson Road up until July 2015, but after 15 years the shop went into liquidation and closed its doors.

The unit was then taken over by Plimsole from November 2015 until October 2016, before it was later taken over by stationers Postmark in 2017, marking the fourth store to open.

W Lounge then Goddards

22 King William Walk has had a long history, originally being a pub named The Cricketers dating back to 1823, according to records from the Dover and Kent Archives.

It then became a gay bar in 2007 before later being taken over by W Lounge in 2008 which can be seen on Google Street View.

The premises were then taken over by nightclub Lani Tiki Lounge in 2009, before later that year changing ownership and becoming the Great British Fish & Chip Shop between 2009 and 2012.

The premises were then changed again and in April 2012 it was taken over by Goddards at Greenwich serving pie and mash, which is still there to this day.