Who are the bigwigs and where?

[Dimps]

Not like this.  Beresford Square is the market place in Woolwich, but the buildings surrounding it are very different and it hasn't had a fence round it with corrugated iron covered canopies over the stalls - that would have impeded the thousands of people who went through the Arsenal gate every day - not to mention the trams, buses, post office wagons and other motorised traffic that used to go through.  Apart from a slight incline to the "High Pavement" (which used to be at the top of two - three steps and is now at the top of a very gentle and barely discernible slope), the square is on one level.

It is highly unlikely to be in Woolwich.  I was hoping someone would recognise the place or one of the dignitaries to help pinpoint the location.

[Sinann]

Not the correct place but is this the right sort of structure.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:The_Cross_and_Rows,_Chester,_Cheshire,_England,_ca._1895.jpg

As there is a sign for cars to take care than more a road on the top level rather than a walk way

[Dimps]

The houses/shop beyond the fence are of the ordinary Victorian terraced brick variety, typical of those in this area or, indeed, almost anywhere in London.  You can just make out more round the corner (extreme top right of photo), with their front tiny garden, low walls topped with railings.  From this, it can be ascertained that there isn't a lower floor.

[Ruskie]

Chap standing up appears to be wearing a medalion with ribbon attached around his neck. Lord Mayor or is that too low key for a Lord Mayor to wear? Maybe something more 'local' to a particular area.
Also there is something on the table behind the flowers which I originally thought was an umbrella, but I've had a closer look and can't fathom what it might be.
I suppose there is a possibility that whatever this is, it may have been a casualty of bombing during WW2 and may not have been rebuilt, (at least in this form), so may not be recognizable to anyone today .... 
(Just looked again and maybe the 'umbrella' is a walking stick?) chap on the left looks like he is holding something rather tall on his lap? Too dark to see what it is unfortunately.

[Dimps]

That kind of medallion on a ribbon/sash is usually a medal of office, such as a chairman, club captain, etc.  The object at the back of the table, upon closer inspection, is curved in the middle and flattens out at either end with a light-coloured 'handle' on the right.  There is a gap below the curve but, if you look to the left, the standing man's leg is obscured by something rectangular and flat, which appears to be attached to the curved part.  The lighter 'handle' is matched with a glint of something on the left-hand side of the curve - so I suspect it is ornamental, brass perhaps.  Could it be a picture, plaque, coat-of-arms or somesuch commemorating the "openin"?

[Dimps]

I've obviously been looking at the picture for far too long.  It is clearly an umbrella.   

[Ruskie]

I've obviously been looking at the picture for far too long.  It is clearly an umbrella.   

That was my original thought as I could see the curved handle and pointed end, but then I noticed that it seemed curved/bowed in the middle and I thought I could see below it between table and 'umbrella' to some white areas behind it .... or is that an illusion?

[Dimps]

A bit of a breakthrough here.  I'll post a picture a bit later that needs dating accurately.  A Mayor wearing the same medallion, but attached to the mayorial chain, is opening (re-opening, it would appear) the Globe Cinema in Plumstead Common - and it is possibly the same man.  The ladies are wearing clothes that are very much of the latter half of the 20s.

Anyway, it confirms that the mystery picture is definitely in the borough of Woolwich.

[Ruskie]

Look forward to seeing the picture!