Woolwich: London’s Newest Cultural Quarter Moves One Step Closer To Realisation

* Cllr D Scott-McDonald

by our RBG Correspondent | Woolwich

Exciting plans for a new cultural quarter in Woolwich moved one step closer with news that one of the UK’s top arts organisations has come on board as a key partner.

Key representatives from Dash Arts signed a memorandum of understanding with the Royal Borough of Greenwich Monday, highlighting their commitment to the plans.
The council will be working with Dash Arts to create a new performance centre in Woolwich.

The Cultural Quarter- on the banks of the River Thames - offers a unique, attractive and ideal setting to establish London’s newest cultural destination.


The plans form part of the borough’s wider regeneration, including the transformation of the immediate Royal Arsenal area, which is delivering 4,500 quality new homes and a new Crossrail station, as well as new shops, restaurants and quality public open spaces and community facilities.

The Royal Borough of Greenwich recognises the value of arts and culture, not just for the entertainment and enjoyment that they bring but also the wider benefits such as tourism and economic development. Tourism and arts already contribute £1.2bn to the local economy each year and supports more than 16,000 jobs.

Cllr Denise Scott-McDonald (top right), Royal Borough of Greenwich Cabinet Member for Culture and Creative Industries, said, “We are so thrilled to have Dash Arts as our first signed partner for the cultural quarter. It’s about putting Woolwich and the borough firmly on the map as a leading cultural destination and it is an important part of our wider regeneration story. Dash Arts reaches large audiences across the world and as a result of this agreement will be based in our Borough.”

Despite its international vitality, London is short on venues truly open to the world and this fully flexible, multi-purpose performing arts theatre will offer the people of Woolwich, London and the UK an artistic destination with unlimited global horizons".

 

* Tim Supple & Josephine Burton

Josephine Burton and Tim Supple of Dash Arts (left) said: "The extraordinary historic buildings within the Royal Arsenal at Woolwich will house a new kind of performing arts theatre in which international theatre, music, dance, art, film and food can be enjoyed in the same programme."

"After a decade of award-winning and ground breaking production, Dash Arts is thrilled to begin a long and deep relationship with Woolwich offering audiences, participants and artists a unique blend of performance and experience from far and wide."



* Karl Whiteman



Karl Whiteman (right), Divisional Managing Director for Berkeley Homes East Thames said: “Berkeley Homes East Thames is proud to be working with Royal Borough of Greenwich to develop the Cultural Quarter at Royal Arsenal Riverside and welcomes the announcement of the award-winning Dash Arts signing up to join this cultural hub."

"Through partnerships like this, Royal Arsenal Riverside will be home to new theatre, dance, music and arts events, engaging residents in the area and bringing visitors and tourists to this first rate destination which is served by great transport links, open spaces and ever emerging places to shop, eat and relax.”

The Royal Borough is already recognised as a superb centre of culture, its rich mix of arts and entertainment helping to attract nearly 20 million visitors from all over the UK and worldwide every year. We aim to use Woolwich’s military heritage to do for the town what the naval heritage has done to the Greenwich town centre economy.