Greenwich Council thinks it has found a way to stop antisocial behaviour in Woolwich town centre this Halloween – to give people something to do instead.

Whereas last year General Gordon Square was fenced off without warning for two weeks, this year an Autumn Night Lights festival will take place.

Some market stalls have been moved into the square because of the redevelopment of nearby Beresford Square, meaning closing the square altogether was unlikely to be an option this year.

A Winter Lights Festival will begin on Tuesday October 24, promising street food, family activities, music and dance to mark Hallowe’en, the Chinese Moon Festival, Diwali, Hanukkah and Bonfire Night.  

The festival comes after two years of criticism from residents. Fencing off the square in 2021 did not prevent youths throwing fireworks in the streets surrounding it, injuring four police officers. And while Woolwich was quiet on Halloween last year, disorder broke out on the Greenwich Peninsula.

Investigations by The Greenwich Wire revealed that the council planned last year’s closure seven weeks in advance without warning residents or making safety assessments, and did nothing to monitor whether or not it was effective.

General Gordon Square
Greenwich Council says it wants to make Woolwich more welcoming after dark. Image: The Greenwich Wire

While the festival will take over the square for 11 days and run until 8pm, it will close at 6pm on October 31 and November 5, its last day.

Ann-Marie Cousins, the cabinet member for community safety, said: “We’re working to bring people together through a series of seasonal events this autumn. 

 “Autumn Night Lights will support our commitment to ensuring our town centres are fun, vibrant, prosperous and safer places for all.”  

Adel Khaireh, the cabinet member for equality, culture and communities, said: ““Our brand-new Autumn Night Lights programme will bring Woolwich town centre to life and celebrate light festivals from across our diverse communities.  

  “So, what are you waiting for? Grab a hot chocolate, enjoy free live entertainment and get that all important rainbow tunnel selfie!”  

Closing the square cost the council £10,000 last year, while Winter Night Lights has been given a £22,000 grant from the Westminster government’s shared prosperity fund.