Redbridge is inviting applications for nine permanent spots for market stalls on Wanstead High Street, to the fury of shopkeepers.
The council has approved plans to introduce stalls in these places:
- Four outside the George & Dragon
- One outside Wanstead Tube
- Two outside Gail’s
- One outside Oxfam
- One outside Tesco
One application for a pitch outside the George & Dragon for a seven-day-a-week fruit and veg stall is currently being considered. The policy says the goods of any prospective stall must not replicate those of neighbouring shops, so one would expect Marks and Spencer and Harvey’s Greengrocers to be objecting to a new fruit stall.
Wansteadium is not aware of any public consultation having taken place about the introduction of the permanent market stalls into what is a conservation area. Market stalls would be a significant change to the character and appearance of the high street.
One shopkeeper said: “With the rising costs we are incurring, which include but aren’t limited to – Rent increases, reduction of business rates relief, service charges, staff wages, NI contributions, street licenses & utility bills, is there already a surprise that the High Street is struggling? More competition with them paying a fraction of we are paying, will mean more empty shops.”
People will be able to object to individual applications for stalls, but there is apparently no chance to officially object to the principle of having pitches on Wanstead High Street as the policy has been accepted by the Council Cabinet.
The webpage announcing the pitches says the areas “have been selected as they will provide a good location for both the stall holder and pedestrians using that pavement area and will complement other businesses in the area. They are listed in our Street Trading Policy which was recently accepted by Council Cabinet.”
The stalls will cost £3,260 per year, a similar sum to that charged to shopkeepers for using the area outside their shops.
Representations about applications can be sent by email to licensing.authority@redbridge.gov.uk or by post to Licensing Authority, 2nd floor, Lynton House, 255-259 High Road IG1 1NN.
Redbridge has been approached for comment.
This will represent an encroachment on the pavement space and the free movement of pedestrians especially with mobility disabilities.
It will also change the character and appearance of the conservation area.
Totally agree. Not in keeping with a conservation area. No consultation. Shame on you Redbridge council.
I don’t recall seeing opposition to the Wanstead Beer Festival from the High Street’s pubs.
That’s a one-off annual event, hardly comparable
What a dumb comment. Isn’t that for one day? And proceeds for to charity.
The beer festival is one day a year for charity
Once a year! No permanent stalls changing the character of the area. NO PUBLIC CONSULTATION! Shame on you Redbridge Council! You started with a coffee shop next to the Christchurch playground and now you want to convert the pedestrian high street in a permanent market! This is a residential area!!
You want to find money destroying our beloved community. We should oppose this outrageous move!!!
That’s its because its a ‘one off’ which brings people into the area, as apposed to a fixed all year round stall;
The reason there was no objection to the Beer festival is that it is not a permanent fixture. Only happens once a year!!
Absolutely agree. The shopkeepers have to contend with business rates etc. and some are struggling. If you are a wheelchair user or are visually impaired, it’s already a challenge getting through some parts of the high street.
https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/business/licensing-including-street-trading/street-trading-licences/?fbclid=IwY2xjawL_FwpleHRuA2FlbQIxMABicmlkETFJcVZJSlJ6SEh4WElmM3hGAR65zCbSW4sb_MugCAE4SPtn5Q5oF0tV3_l-4Nsc9q3Demk0eebj0n90QDFWHQ_aem_1WlX28ruSsIXelL1JDnRMw
You can find the “consultation” here – a fruit and vegetable stall 8am – 6pm also applying to Ilford Lane. How will Harvey’s be impacted? I really fear for them and have written my objection to the licensing email and a local cabinet member.
Thank you for adding the information. I really don’t like the idea of the name too ‘Ilford market’s. We are not Ilford we are Wanstead mikes away from Ilford. I stopped going there.
My understanding is that under the ‘ Planning (Listed Buildings and Conservation Areas) Act 1990’ Local Authorities have a requirement to consult the public in preservation and enhancement of conservation areas, and that in so doing special attention should be paid to the desirability of preserving or enhancing the character or appearance each area.
Redbridge does have a generic management plan for conservation areas, but it says nothing about the use of market stalls.
https://www.redbridge.gov.uk/media/9993/10-redbridgelocal-plan_070318_web-1_tp.pdf
Thank you supplying this information.
Exactly this.
Plus there are several health and safety issues here that LBR have totally ignored.
Lillies of Wanstead are leading a petition which I’ve just shared with Giles Wilson on Wanstedium.
This is excellent news. When I leave my house in Aldersbrook I turn left and head to East Ham to do my shopping. Who wants to pay the Wanstead premium? Now I may sometimes turn right and go shopping In Wanstead.
We have a wonderful selection of independent shops on our beautiful High Street, and an excellent Farmer’s Market. There is certainly no need for any kind of permanent stalls. We need to stand together and support our local shop traders. Once they are gone, they are gone!
We certainly need to stand on this one together!!! I don’t want to see permanent stalls on the Wanstead High Street!
LBR does not care about its residents and commercial outlets it’s all about the money. Perhaps stop paying inflated salaries to senior post holders and leaders as well as being transparent about all the ” interim” staff who appear without interview
Well if the stalls come when we don’t want them we all need to refuse to buy anything from them. I wonder if this will ever happen.
Why? They are not needed and pavement is busy and already crowded
We just don’t need them, they’ll obstruct the busy pavements and it’s not fair on the shopkeepers. Appalled at absence of consultation. We should boycott them.
We will loose the village quality of our Wa stead village which has a preservation order on the high street. How dare you dump down our history of Wanstead. It will loose the cafe look too. I don’t recall any information of this plan. This Redbridge Council seems to want to rid of our quality of this high street which started with using our green space for commercial Christmas trees. I am furious.
I want to add Redbridge take your greedy hands off our high street. I’m beginning to wonder who are these counsellors. And so much for free speech as you’ve already removed comments that don’t sit with you comfortably.
What on earth are you talking about? No comments have been removed, and only one comment hasn’t been published – and that’s because it made allegations against people.
Thank you supplying this information. I’m pleased you responded. But the person had a point. Yes it was strong. But we are angry with lack of information. You have not noticed that even the once a month market apart from the flowers do not even sell County or local farm products. Also its always the same market stallers. Thank you giving me the aire to vent my own frustrations.
what happened to democracy? This is our High Street. We should be consulted about these permanent small shops on the pavement. We use the pavement to walk along, to chat to people we know, for pushchairs and prams to have space to get to the shops.
We do not need extra shops putting our present shops out of business
Wanstead’s unique character is bit by bit being destroyed.
Once again Redbridge council put money before the rights of local shopkeepers and the majority of local residents. There should of been a consultation at the very least!
Messy stalls cluttering a perfectly well-served shopping high street. Watch the Wanstead area lose its premium status. This must NOT happen
Won’t this idea clash with the monthly farmer’s market stalls?
Shame on greedy Redbridge Council no consultation with residents or local traders, no planning committee. Certainly no thought to residents with mobility issues, young children, traffic issues, rubbish,. Their time could be better spent on safety with electric delivery bikes on pavements, theft from local shops, no Police presents in the area at any time. This is a conservation area perhaps some of them should look up the meaning of this and stop trying to make more money out of us.
Glad you are here Elsie. We both have mobility issues. It will be a nightmare fir us to navigate the rest of the spaces left. We know the shop owners personally. They have to pay higher rates too. You will be stopping the wonderful cafe community we meet daily.
The new Redbridge Council Cabinet is:
Leader – Cllr Kam Rai, Cabinet Member for Regeneration and Growth
Deputy Leader – Cllr Vanisha Solanki, Cabinet Member for Finance
Cllr Mark Santos, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Care and Health
Cllr Jo Blackman, Cabinet Member for Environment and Sustainability
Cllr Khayer Chowdhury, Cabinet Member for Enforcement and Community Safety
Cllr Saima (Syeda) Ahmed, Cabinet Member for Housing and Homelessness
Cllr Helen Coomb, Cabinet Member for Resources and Transformation
Cllr Lloyd Duddridge, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Education
Cllr Namreen Chaudhry, Cabinet Member for Leisure, Culture and Communities
Cllr Sahdia Warraich, Cabinet Member for Planning and Economic Growth
Thank you supplying the names Kieron. That explains it. Is there anyone one of those live in our community at Wanstead?
Cllr Blackman does
I do not support the idea of market stalls on the pavement of Wanstead High Street. This is yet another way for Redbridge council to make money without consulting or caring about the residents of Wanstead. As already said, this will clutter the High Street which is already busy and make it more difficult for people with reduced mobility. Not to say what it will do for the shopkeepers who are coping with rising costs whilst trying to serve the community. We need a consultation at the very least!!
Greed pure greed, boycott the stalls. But before that contact local councillors and bombard the MP
Wanstead is an oasis in East London and to lose the character of the high Street will diminish it completely. And that’s all before we lose the shops through unnecessary stalls. Not needed,not wanted!!
I totally agree with you. Speak to out MP.
Wanstead will look like a market place.
It certainly will effect the businesses
In the high street. We certainly do not want to see shops closing. Redbridge Council leave Wanstead CONSERVATION area alone!!
There are serious Health and safety issues with this proposition, that clearly have not even been considered.
I have asked a professional planner for more information.
Petition has started with change.org that I’ve shared with Giles.
I for one am looking forward to the stalls, ideally a more classy and upmarket look to reflect the character of Wanstead. Some have commented on the lack of a democratic consultative apporach, well wake up, we haven’t lived in a democracy for decades. It’s a dream-ocracy and the NIMBY attitude doesn’t help. We concern ourselves with minor issues and not what serves the greater interest of the nation, thats why we don’t control anything of value.
One of the potential stall holders describes their plans to sell classy merchandise- including vapes . Nothing classy about vapes !
Council has approached a fruit and veg vendor plus a florist. WTF!!!
Consultations? Another underhanded project by LBR. A total joke.
Consultations over Conservation? Another joke.
“The stalls will cost £3,260 per year, a similar sum to that charged to shopkeepers for using the area outside their shops.” What square footage are we talking about here? £3,260 PER ANNUM??? This is rent at £8.93 per day! How does this compare to brick built shop rentals in the High Street? Does this also include proportional council charges for street lighting, refuse collection, etc., etc.? What about health facilities for these pitches? Toilets? Water? Electricity? Are these going to be produced by the LBR free of charge for the benefit of the traders to the detriment of local residents?
I cannot be called a ‘Nimby’ as I live in South Woodford, 15-20 minute walk from the High Street, which currently has a ‘village’ vibe, but this will totally change the whole environment and atmosphere.
LBR please consult properly your residents, your salary payers and therefore your employers, before any more scatter brained ideas are conceived.
Not nimbyism,just totally unnecessary and already good selections of shops and they all pay high rents
Seems to conflict with our MP ‘s views as he is concerned about crime on the High street-people opening purses.openly out on busy high street is a temptation -we ve already seen so many shoplifters and heists in all the supermarkets, and cash grabs at the cash machines
Like the little (now decrepit eyesore)seating zone by the co-op-unthought through
Sounds like a ‘Scheme’ for some at the Council to make more money to me – Maybe wrong but why would anybody in their right mind want stalls in the high street every day when you can already get what they will sell from well know an trusted shops – Harvey’s for one – been there years – if we want to stop this encroachment on the high street – can I suggest we boycott the stalls and help the shops – if it continues how many more stall will be there – it will end up looking like a scene from ‘East Enders’ – PLEASE LET COMMON SENSE PREVAIL – let’s make the watchword ‘STOP THE STALLS.
Putting up a stall on a junction of roads will obstruct the view of drivers approaching the High Street.
This would mean that the people who put in place this permission for the obstructive tents would be liable for accidents.
Permanent stalls on the High Street will change the character of this conservation area. We can buy what we need from local shops. All my friends come to Wanstead to enjoy the cafes and High Street because they love it here. They will not come to a cluttered, scruffy street. Not only might the stalls take business from the local shops but they will decrease the footfall in the High Street. Not good for Wanstead.
I wonder where they will park their vans to unload etc