Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival: Local Businesses Get On Board With Tall Ships 2015

* Cllr Sizwe James

by our RBG correspondent | Woolwich

Businesses across Royal Greenwich will be offering exclusive discounts for visitors attending the Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival 2015.

Nearly 40 businesses have signed up to be part of one of the biggest events in the London calendar.

Last year’s Tall Ships Regatta proved to be a huge success attracting 1.1million visitors and supporting the tourism industry, which contributes £1.1bn a year to the local economy.

The Royal Greenwich Tall Ships Festival is running from 27 – 31 August, when hundreds of people are expected to visit the borough to see 15 magnificent vessels as they gather on the Thames in Royal Greenwich for the 5 day festival which will also include an array of entertainment and cultural events.

Some of the businesses offering discounts include:

Harry Perry Cycles, Woolwich, giving tall ships ticket holders 10% off all items including cycles.

Jenny's Café in Eltham, offering 10% off all food orders when you mention The Royal Greenwich Festivals.

The King William Hotel Greenwich has free pool games and 20% off drinks for those who mention The Royal Greenwich Festivals.

The Earl of Chatham, Woolwich is offering 10% off food and drink until 10pm, with production of Greenwich Card or Tall Ships tickets

Councillor Sizwe James, Royal borough of Greenwich’s Cabinet Member for Business, Employment and Skills said:“This is a fantastic opportunity for local businesses. We’ll be welcoming huge numbers of visitors to the festival and there’ll be a really vibrant atmosphere. We encourage visitors to get out to explore the town centres and snap up a few bargains from our local shops. I call on local businesses to make sure they get involved and make the most of what will be one of the most memorable events in the borough.”

Saturday August 29 sees the Royal Borough’s Tall Ships Festival day take place along Woolwich Riverside, featuring live shanty music, street theatre, historical characters and market stalls from 12pm to 10pm. Visitors will also have the chance to step on board selected tall ships for free as they are moored alongside the river.

Thirteen tall ships will be based at Royal Arsenal Woolwich and will make daily sails along the river to Greenwich and Tower Bridge. Residents can book tickets for the sails where they can see iconic landmarks on both sides of the river en route to Maritime Greenwich World Heritage Site and Tower Bridge.

Visitors can also experience the majestic vessels first-hand at Tall Ships Island – a feature new to this year’s festival where two impressive tall ships, Dar Mlodziezy and Santa Maria Manuela will be moored at Maritime Greenwich. Tickets are £20 for adults; £10 for children aged five to 15, with under-fives admitted free.

Ticketholders will access the vessels via a special Thames Clipper service for an hour-long stationary tour and will get the chance to speak to cadets and to hear from guides telling stories about life at sea.

Watch stunning fireworks displays on the river at Maritime Greenwich each night (Thursday, Friday and Sunday) around 9.15pm. On Saturday 29 August, the Tall Ships Festival event at Woolwich Arsenal Riverside will end with a fireworks display on the river at 10pm.