Woolwich named as Mayor of London’s new Night Time Enterprise Zone to boost local businesses

The Council has successfully secured Mayor of London’s Night Time Enterprise Zone status for Woolwich. This sees £130,000 worth of funding awarded to the borough by the Mayor of London.

• The project is aimed at enlivening Woolwich’s high streets after 6pm with innovative events, public realm interventions and business support to drive the area’s social and economic recovery  
• The three new Night Time Enterprise Zones were launched by the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan and Night Czar, Amy Lamé at an event at Woolwich Town Hall on Thursday 17 November 

Woolwich has been chosen as a new Night Time Enterprise Zone in the capital by the Mayor of London, following a successful bid by the Royal Borough of Greenwich.  

The Mayor of London, in partnership with the London Economic Action Partnership (LEAP), has awarded the Council £130,000 to develop a range of events and activities to boost the night time economy in Woolwich, supporting businesses by encouraging more residents and visitors to spend time in local high streets after 6pm.  

The Council’s proposal for Woolwich includes a year-round series of at least 12 ‘lates’ events – a mix of Retail, Arts, Market, Fitness and Family Lates – activating key spaces and creating opportunities for local businesses. It also features a low-level sustainable lighting scheme connecting the town centre and the Royal Arsenal, improving safety and providing wayfinding routes.  

Councillor Anthony Okereke, Leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich: “Local businesses are the backbone of our high streets and communities and they are key drivers of social and economic recovery. As they face rising operating costs amid the cost of living crisis, they need our support more than ever. Our priority is to develop a vibrant, diverse and welcoming night-time economy in Woolwich that benefits our businesses and residents.  

“We are delighted to have the support of the Mayor of London’s Night Time Enterprise Zone. We aim to build confidence in the town centre as a night time destination, connecting the growing night time activity on the Arsenal with the town centre and enhance Woolwich’s profile as a 'lates' destination. Celebrating Woolwich’s rich culture, heritage and local stories will be central to this. We look forward to working in partnership with local organisations to make this vision a reality, making sure every pound is used to bring enduring benefits for businesses and residents in the area.”  

Councillor Denise Hyland, Cabinet Member for Inclusive Economy Business and Skills said: “The Night Time Enterprise Zone will boost businesses in Woolwich, giving them more opportunities to increase income and footfall and explore new ways of doing business later into the evening. The Elizabeth line opening earlier this year has made Woolwich a better connected town centre, attracting new people to the area. To capitalise on this increased activity, we want to deliver an exciting, year-round mix of events and extend opening times to encourage a diverse range of people to make use of everything Woolwich has to offer, spend quality time in local businesses and enjoy a fun and safe evening out with friends, family and colleagues.” 

Woolwich was launched as one of three new Night Time Enterprise Zones in the capital, alongside Bromley town centre and Vauxhall, at an event organised by the Greater London Authority at the Woolwich Town Hall on Thursday 17 November.  The Night Time Enterprise Zone programme comes into action next month with a series of Christmas markets open into the evening, creating a festive atmosphere and encouraging local shopping.  

Amy Lamé, Night Czar, said: “Our city is incredibly active at night, but too often our high streets shut down from 6pm, offering no reason for people to be there. We have an opportunity to work in partnership to boost local businesses, communities and the wellbeing of night workers across the capital. Through our Night Time Enterprise Zone programme we want to help reimagine our high streets with innovative ideas and help councils, communities and businesses to pioneer better ways of living, working and doing business.”

Notes to editors 

Night Time Enterprise Zone – Woolwich Partnership 

The Council is working with local partners to deliver the Night Time Enterprise Zone including: Berkeley Homes, British Land, GCDA, GLL-Better, FESTIVAL.ORG, Greenwich Enterprise Board, Uber Boats by Thames Clippers, Visit Greenwich, Volunteer Centre Greenwich, Woolwich Works and many more.  

Night Time Enterprise Zone Funding:  

An open bidding process was held by the Greater London Authority (GLA) between June and July this year, asking boroughs to respond to the four aims of the programme, which are: 

• Extending opening hours and boosting activity on the high street after 6pm, giving businesses more opportunities to increase income and footfall. 

• Giving local people and visitors better access to shops and services after 6pm. 

• Making the high street more welcoming and inclusive for a diverse range of people after 6pm 

• Increasing the number of night workers that benefit from good work standards 
   

18 boroughs submitted applications which were assessed by GLA officers on how they met the aims.