A historic Woolwich market is set to be refurbished ahead of its transformation into a cinema.

A planning application was approved last week for the former Grade II listed Woolwich Covered Market to be renovated.

This will see graffiti removed, toilets refurbished and holes and cracks in the floor fixed before bigger changes go ahead. 

This is part of sweeping changes planned for Woolwich as part of the council’s regeneration programme.

According to Historic England, the building has not been used as a market since 2017. It was rewarded its Grade II listed status because of its rare roof structure.

After 2017, the indoor market, which opened in 1936, was used to host Street Feast, a weekend food arena with pop-up stores and places to eat and drink.

But it closed in 2019 after issues with the building’s electrical works, according to reports.

After the market is refurbished, locals can look forward to the new cinema and potentially a temporary arts space, which is awaiting planning approval.

Collective Art hope to use the space for an immersive community art project called Dreamachine, described as a “one-of-a-kind programme inviting you to stop and think about what it means to be alive. To be you. It offers a chance to explore an entirely new way of re-connecting with yourself, and others.”

Plans for the indoor market are part of a raft of changes. 

Proposals for 801 homes and new shops were backed last year as part of the Woolwich Exchange project.

But a planning document last week warned councillors they may have to use a compulsory purchase order to take legal ownership of land if private owners did not wish to sell.

A cabinet meeting tonight (March 23) will have councillors vote on whether to let the council have those powers to aid the regeneration of the Woolwich Exchange.

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