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New Look Opens Greenwich Store

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Fashion retailer, New Look, has opened a new store at the Greenwich Peninsular Retail Park off Bugsby’s Way.

Having started in 1969, New Look is one of the largest clothes shop chains in the UK and has a total of 590 branches internationally.  Whilst other clothing retailers have suffered in the downturn, New Look seems to be doing quite well, recently boasting of an increase in sales which its chief executive, Carl McPhail, attributes to its “core fashion and value credentials”.

The new Greenwich branch opened for business on Thursday 12th March. Find out more at www.newlook.co.uk

Hat tip to the Greenwich Gazette for spotting the opening.

New Bike Shop Coming To Greenwich

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A new bike shop will be opening up in Creek Road in the first week of April. Cycles UK, an independent chain with 16 branches around the South East, will be opening up for business on the 4th April and will be stocking a wide selection of brands including Specialized, Trek, Marin, Wilier, Cube and Pashley alongside a great range of kids & BMX bikes, clothing and accessories.

They are also planning a pilot programme to offer courtesy bikes to customers whilst their own bikes are being serviced or repaired. Cycles UK is actively encouraging feedback from cyclists about what they would like from the shop, so if you have any comments, check out their new blog which shows progress with the store as it nears completion.

NOGOE Turns Up The Heat On Olympic Organisers

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NOGOE have released a 36 page report which makes the case against using historic Greenwich Park as the venue for London 2012’s equestrian events. The detailed report sets out to describe the risks and practical difficulties, as they see it, of using the Royal Park for such an event.

The objections break down into four main points:

1 that it is potentially damaging for such an important site with its many ancient trees, archaeological remains and fragile ecology;
2 that not only will it be more expensive than alternative venues but it will leave no meaningful legacy from the very large financial and other economic costs incurred;
3 that the social and economic impact of closures of the Park and surrounding roads is out of all proportion;
4 that there are real doubts about the legality of some aspects of the proposals.

You can read the report for yourself on the NOGOE website.

This report follows hot on the heels that chamption eventer and 2012 medal hopeful, Zara Phillips, has also questioned the wisdom of Greenwich Park being an Olympic venue.

On a similar note, Darryl at the 853 blog has news of a public meeting on Wednesday 11th March to discuss issues surrounding the use of Greenwich Park for 2012.

UPDATE: Darryl’s write up of the meeting can be found here.

Zara Phillips Questions Greenwich Park Olympic Venue

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Zara Phillips has used an interview with The Times to question whether Greenwich Park is the right venue for London 2012’s equestrian events.

Phillips, who is the Queen’s eldest granddaughter and reigning Eventing World Champion, said that Windsor or Burghley would be better venues than Greenwich Park, with her main concern being the lack of equestrian legacy. She told the paper:

What is annoying is that they put something there and then take it all down afterwards… What’s the point of that?

Why don’t you do it to a space that can be used with a legacy, not Greenwich Park where people walk their dogs? I thought that was the whole point of bidding for the Games.

Phillips was awarded an MBE in 2007 for her services to equestrianism and is hoping to represent Team GB at London 2012 on her horse, Toytown.

Heart of Greenwich Receives Kick Start

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The Home and Community Agency and the Mayor of London, Boris Johnson, have announced a cash injection into five affordable housing projects across London which have seen development stalled because of the economic climate. One of the five sites to receive additional funding is the Heart of Greenwich development in East Greenwich on the site of the old Greenwich District Hospital.

The Mayor, who chairs the HCA’s London Board sub-committee, said: “The money we are investing today is also a major shot in the arm for London’s development sector and the economy. As this rolls out thousands of construction sector jobs will be saved but more importantly the sector will emerge strong to build and grow London when the recovery comes.”.

Council Tax Frozen for 09/10

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Greenwich Council has announced a council tax freeze for 2009-2010, meaning a band D taxpayer will continue to pay £980.91 for local services this year.

Councillor Chris Roberts, Leader of Greenwich Council, said: “We are all looking to find ways through the current economic challenges, and I hope our commitment on freezing Council tax and other charges sends out a clear message that the Council is doing all it can to support residents.” 

Londoners on the whole seem to have done well this year with average council tax rises of only 1.2%, which compares well with the rest of the country. The average Band D charge in London this year is £1,307.55.

Shooting at the North Pole

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An apparently random shooting took place outside the North Pole pub in Greenwich High Road last night.

The BBC reports that a car pulled up, a man got out and fired shots which left three people – one woman and two men – requiring hospital attention although their conditions are not life threatening.

The attacker was then driven away from the scene and police were alerted at around 02:40.

Witnesses or anyone that can provide information relating to this should contact Greenwich Police on 0300 123 1212.

Update 24/02/09
A man has been arrested and remanded in prison in connection with this. 28 year old Thomas Scott from Plumstead was charged with grievous bodily harm, possessing a firearm with intent to endanger life, and also possessing a banned weapon.


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Tide Mill Discovered in Greenwich

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Archaelogists from the Musuem of London have discovered the remains of a tidal water mill at Greenwich Wharf, dating back 800 years.

The medieval structure, which has apparently been well preserved for the best part of a millennium, would have included a large water wheel on the Greenwich shoreside, with a diameter of 5 metres.

Staff from the Musuem of London’s Archaeology Department have been working alongside local company, Erith Contractors, to excavate the site with key features being moved to York Archaeological Trust for conservation and research work.

Simon Davis, Contract Manager for Museum of London Archaeology, said: ‘Tide mills may have been numerous along the Thames foreshore in the early medieval period. Four mills in Greenwich are mentioned in the Domesday book of 1086 and over 6000 mills were recorded across the country at this time. However, little evidence of mills in use in the early medieval period has been found on archaeological sites, so the discovery of a 12th century tide mill at Greenwich is very significant and exciting. Detailed recording of the find following its excavation and dismantling by the Museum of London Archaeology field team will enhance our understanding of milling technologies and early medieval economies.’

The discovery was made on the development site for Lovells Wharf.

Greenwich Society Votes Down Park Protestor’s Motion

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A Special General Meeting of the Greenwich Society was held on January 29th to vote on a motion put forward by member Michael Goldman, who is also the Chairman of NOGOE. The motion put before the SGM was that:

That this Society will oppose the construction or use of a course in Greenwich Park for the purpose of the cross country event to be held as part of the 2012 London Olympic Games.

The motion was defeated by 86 votes to 58.

A second motion stating “that constructive dialogue the LOCOG and the other Olympic organisations is in the best interests of the Society” went unopposed.