A new tourism plan for Woolwich has been announced by Visit Greenwich.

The new plan for Woolwich has high ambitions to double the value of tourism for the area by 2020, with a potential to generate over £35 million to the local economy and the creation of 900 new jobs.

London’s coolest new hotspot, Woolwich has just seen the opening of the hotly anticipated Street Feast breathe life into the 1930s Covered Market.

Councillor Denise Hyland, leader of the Royal Borough of Greenwich, said: “It’s wonderful that Woolwich is finally being recognised at the place to come and live, work, study and eat out.

“The town centre is undergoing huge transformation at the moment, but we want people to see that there is more to Woolwich than just the ferry or the street market.

“The council has worked hard to ensure that Crossrail came to our borough, helping to bring even more visitors here, and we have secured significant funding from Arts Council England into Woolwich via the Cultural Destinations Fund and the Woolwich Creative District.

“This new plan is about bringing benefits to the east of the borough – it’s not just about Woolwich – but benefits for Thamesmead, Plumstead, Charlton and Abbey Wood too.”

The management plan will focus on generating additional local revenue by driving up visitor numbers to Woolwich with a target of increasing revenue to £35.9 million and devising a new recognisable Woolwich brand to help improve marketing locally, nationally and with the travel industry to increase awareness of events and activities.

Visit Greenwich and the Royal Borough of Greenwich will also be working to improve local supply chains and maximising publicity locally, nationally and internationally for the cultural events programme

Barrie Kelly, chief executive at Visit Greenwich, who launched the Plan, commented: “Woolwich isn’t a place that has traditionally shouted ‘tourism hotspot’.

“However, we have ambitious plans to make Woolwich a chosen destination with new marketing and events plans, and creation of a new Woolwich identity – one that draws people here, helping drive the local economy and create local jobs for local people.”

The Royal Borough of Greenwich sees over 19 million visitors a year, contributing £1.3 billion to the local economy, and supporting over 15,000 industry jobs, many of which are filled by local people.