A digital illustration of what the Deptford Anchor could look like. Pic: Brenda Dacres

Installation work will begin this week to return the historic Deptford Anchor to Deptford High Street after years of campaigning by local people for it to be reinstated.

The anchor will resume its previous location at the south end of the High Street. It will have a larger granite base and plaque explaining its history. The work will take three weeks.

An estimated £24,000 was needed to fund its return, according to a report by consultants Building Design partnership last year, which was commissioned by the council.

The anchor was removed in 2013 as part of the redevelopment of the High Street after concerns that it attracted street drinkers.

When the anchor is returned,  it will no longer have the plinth that drinkers sat on.

Lewisham Council agreed to reinstall the anchor last March after local residents campaigned for its return. The most successful petition, entitled ‘Give Us Back Our Bloomin’ Anchor’, gathered over 4,000 signatures.

Graffiti anchors also appeared on the pavement of the high street in an anonymous call for the council to return the symbol of Deptford’s naval history.

Originally located in Chatham Historic Dockyard, it was first installed on the corner of Deptford High Street 30 years ago. That was also when the high street was given a makeover, and became a symbolic landmark within the community.