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Greenwich news and information

The news section of Greenwich.co.uk has been paused since 2018. Please enjoy browsing archive news articles below.

Council bursts Black Vanilla’s bubbly

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PLANS for a new champagne bar in Greenwich town centre have gone flat after the council kicked out a licensing application.

The Black Vanilla Champagne Bar & Gelateria was hoping to open in College Approach in December but its future is now in doubt unless the owners can successfully appeal against the decision.

Councillors on a licensing committee rejected the application because their “saturation policy” for Greenwich town centre requires any new premises license applicants to demonstrate that they “will not add to the cumulative impact experienced.”

Spokesman for Black Vanilla, Adam Brown, said: “We strongly disagree with the Council’s stance on this matter. We know there is a demand locally for more sophisticated drinking venues where the attraction is the quality rather than the quantity of what is consumed. Given that, we are convinced that Black Vanilla can only have the most positive influence on the area.

“We are shocked to find ourselves in this position after the council granted us permission to change the building’s usage and the Police and Fire authorities declared their support to our plans to bring something unique to Greenwich.

“We take responsible drinking very seriously, and have agreed a list of conditions and safeguards with the Police to this effect. We are confident we have grounds for a successful appeal.”

Family-run Black Vanilla, who also run a gelateria and bakery in Blackheath, planned to offer “champagne teas” and “ice cream cocktails” at the new business. While appealing against the decision, they are intending to operate solely as a gelateria at 5 College Approach and have launched an online petition to gather support.

New coat of arms for Royal Greenwich revealed

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A NEW coat of arms for Royal Greenwich has been shown off for the first time.

The new coat of arms (seen above), which retains the “We govern by serving” motto, was designed by the College of Arms and marks the bestowing of royal status on the borough by the Queen.

The honour comes into effect February 3rd – a month later than was originally expected. The Letters Patent confirming the designation, signed by the Queen, will be presented to the borough.  A fireworks display to mark the event is planned in Greenwich town centre on February 5th.

Leader of the Council, Chris Roberts, commented: “The designation of Greenwich as a Royal Borough in the year of The Queen’s Diamond Jubilee will be followed in the Summer by the arrival of the London 2012 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

“These two major events will help place Greenwich in the world’s spotlight, and I am as determined as ever to make sure that Greenwich seizes this opportunity to attract benefits for local residents that will last for generations to come.”

Cllr Roberts revealed last year that the Queen would be visiting Greenwich to reopen the restored Cutty Sark and that the National Maritime Museum, Royal Observatory and Queen’s House would become known as Royal Museums, Greenwich.

Previous coats of arms used in Greenwich

London Borough of Greenwich

Greenwich Metropolitan Borough

Woolwich Metropolitan Borough

See these and more coats of arms for local authorities at CivicHeraldry.co.uk

Gymnastics test event gets under way at The O2

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GYMNASTS from around the world have arrived in Greenwich to compete at the Visa 2012 International Gymnastics.

The Olympic qualifying event gets under way today at The O2 ,which becomes known as the North Greenwich Arena as it will do during London 2012.

For Britain’s men, it’s their last chance to qualify as a full team for London 2012 after they failed to secure a place at a qualifying event in Tokyo last October.

The packed schedule of artistic gymnastics, trampoline and rhythmic gymnastics concludes next Wednesday.

The Visa 2012 Gymnastics is the latest in the London Prepares series of London 2012 test events. An equestrian test event was held in Greenwich Park last summer and a shooting test event will take place at the Royal Artillery Barracks, Woolwich, in April.

New trees planted in Pleasaunce memorial orchard

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Tree planting ceremony in East Greenwich Pleasaunce (Photo: Lara Ruffle)

EAST GREENWICH Pleasaunce’s orchard is growing – with the addition of six new trees.

The new trees were planted in the Pleasaunce’s Memorial Orchard yesterday afternoon by volunteers. They gathered in the Green Flag-awarded park to add to the orchard that was first established in December 2010.

The planting of one plum, one pear, one gage and three apple trees takes the orchard’s tree tally to twelve.

Expert guidance was provided by the London Orchard Project while helpers dug, planted and erected tree guards.

Gavin McGregor from Transition Westcombe commented:

“David from the London Orchard Project sang the expanded orchard a welcome with a wassailing song, and the trees themselves were doused, as is tradition, with cider.

“It is hoped that, as it matures, the orchard will become a focus for community activities in the Pleasaunce, such as an Apple Day and new year wassailing events.”

The orchard, which is a joint project by the Friends of East Greenwich Pleasaunce and Transition Westcombe, has benefited from a grant from the council’s Greenwich Pride award scheme and also had financial support from the Capital Growth scheme.

Volunteers will be needed to help water the trees throughout the Spring and Summer – email Gavin McGregor for more details.

Thanks to Lara Ruffle for the photo. You can see more pictures and read Lara’s account of the day on her blog.

Scenes for next James Bond film shot in Greenwich

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FILMING took place in Greenwich today for the next James Bond film, which will be called ‘Skyfall’.

The ever-popular Old Royal Naval College has been chosen as a location for the Sam Mendes-directed movie which is slated for release in November this year.

Twitter user, @wiilassie, said she “saw five hearses with union flag-draped coffins being moved this morning”.

Neil Sinclair reports on Footprints of London website that the King William Undercroft, under the Painted Hall, became a “make-believe morgue” with “eight coffins draped in union jack flags and arranged in two neat rows.”

Daniel Craig returns for his third outing as James Bond and Javier Bardem is set to be the film’s villain.

007 was last seen in Greenwich falling onto the roof of the Millennium Dome after a high speed chase along the Thames in the pre-title sequence of ‘The World Is Not Enough.’

The filming of funeral scenes at the Old Royal Naval College coincide with the anniversary of Nelson’s funeral – his coffin was kept in the Painted Hall between January 5th – January 7th 1806.


This photo was posted to the official James Bond twitter account after they filmed in Greenwich.

Local independent tour guide, Neil Sinclair, is leading a walk in Greenwich this Sunday and the following Sunday where you can learn more about Greenwich’s starring part in many feature films.

MBE for Pieter van der Merwe in New Year Honours

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THE NATIONAL Maritime Museum’s Pieter van der Merwe has been awarded an MBE.

The recognition for the museum’s General Editor was announced in the New Year Honours list.

He has been given the award for his “services to heritage and the local community of Greenwich.”

Pieter told Greenwich.co.uk: “It was an unexpected shock but as Sir Thomas Beecham used to say ‘one should try everything once except incest and folk dancing’ so, unaccountable as it is, I’m getting used to it and mainly enjoying the pleasure it is giving to others: and at least it put Greenwich in the Jubilee New Year list!”

Pieter has worked at the National Maritime Museum since 1974.

Outlet shopping village planned inside The O2

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The O2 could be set to have a brand new outlet shopping mall developed inside it.

An outline planning application has been submitted to Greenwich Council to establish a “retail outlet village” in the the former Millennium Dome in North Greenwich.

The plans envisage two storeys of shops with a leisure offering, such as bowling or a children’s play area above them.

If built, it would be the “first significant Retail Outlet Village within the Greater London area,” say the developers.

“Outlet” shopping centres typically offer products from well known brands at discount prices. Project architects RTKL carried out visits to outlet centres at Ashford and Bicester as part of their research for the designs.

They suggest in their plans that five “zones” could be created, each offering distinct characteristics such as “Main Street” for popular brands, a “Market” for stalls and smaller shops and “The Court” for upmarket, designer brands.

The applicant says the scheme will “deliver the final component of The O2 and complete its transformation into a world class destination for the London Borough of Greenwich,” adding that the increased daytime footfall “will enable The O2 to strengthen as a world leading leisure destination.”

If the council approves the concept of a retail shopping village in the outline planning application, a more detailed planning application will have to be submitted before it can go ahead.

St Alfege Park Friends hope for reprieve

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THE FRIENDS of St Alfege Park have decided to go into hibernation in the hope of one day being allowed to return.

The decision was taken in a ballot of members at a Special General Meeting earlier this month at St Alfege Church Hall.

The meeting, which had a “thin” attendance, saw the group decide to “go into hibernation for the present and hope that Greenwich Council will eventually relent” and restore them to “full partnership.”

Other options on the ballot paper were to continue to organise events in the park or to permanently disband and dispose of the group’s assets.

The chair, Tim Delap, is believed to have resigned and two custodians will be responsible for the running of the dormant group.

The decision was brought about following the controversy this summer when headstones in St Alfege Park were smashed. Greenwich.co.uk understands that the Greenwich Council plans to constitute a new group early in 2012.

St Alfege Park - Headstones reduced to rubble

New student housing proposed in East Greenwich

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A DEVELOPER has applied for planning permission to build new student accommodation in East Greenwich.

The 49-bed,  five-storey block is proposed in Denham Street, just off Woolwich Road. The site was previously used as  a depot and offices for Lewis Coaches.

The developer hopes to benefit from requirement for student homes from both the University of Greenwich and Ravensbourne College.

A letter from the University of Greenwich submitted with the application confirms they have “unsatisfied demand for student accommodation” in the vicinity of their campus at the Old Royal Naval College.

The applicant behind the scheme is Mr David Purewall of Greenwich. It is proposed that the site be used as a car wash until the planning decision for the student accommodation is reached.

Buy British trees, MP tells Transport For London

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LOCAL MP Nick Raynsford has criticised Transport for London for deciding to buy foreign trees to be planted near the Blackwall Tunnel.

The trees are due to be planted to the rear of properties in Tunnel Avenue but Raynsford says the decision to buy them from Germany has caused the planting to be delayed until late January 2012.

Mr Raynsford commented:

“While I welcome planting of trees to shield residents of Tunnel Avenue from the noise and traffic fumes of the A102, why couldn’t TFL have bought British saplings from a homegrown tree nursery? Boris Johnson is encouraging people to ‘buy local’ to help London’s economy recover from the recession. But it seems he cannot even persuade TFL – for which he is responsible – to buy British trees.

The Greenwich and Woolwich MP added that there “many excellent tree nurseries in and around London”, citing in particular the Meantime Nursery although that is soon to be turned into an up-market “glamping” site. He added:

“I can’t understand why TFL needs to go to Germany to buy trees. At the new Olympic Park, most of the trees being planted are British-grown, and I hope TFL can take a leaf out of their book in future.”

TFL defended their decision, however, saying that they couldn’t source the right quantity of the size required in the UK.

Leon Daniels, Managing Director Surface Transport said: “The majority of trees that we plant are sourced locally within the UK, mostly in the South East region. However, as we were unable to find any nurseries within the UK who had the quantity of 6 metre tall trees required, we’ve had to source them from Germany. The sizes of the trees are important as they will provide a screen between the residents’ gardens of Tunnel Avenue and the A102.

“The trees are being planted along the Blackwall Tunnel approach as they can trap harmful particulate matter (PM10) which comes from road transport, to prevent dust particles becoming airborne.”

TFL plans to plant 27 Western Red Cedars alongside the A102.