A public meeting is to be held on Saturday 27 September at 4pm at Christ Church to which councillors and the Redbridge leader have been invited as frustration continues with the council’s decision to introduce nine ‘permanent’ market stalls on Wanstead High Street. The meeting has been arranged by former councillor Colin Cronin.
Meanwhile the consultation period on the first application, for a seven-day-a-week fruit and veg stall outside the George and Dragon, is nearing its end (29 August). There have been reports of council staff visiting to measure up the space where the stall might go.
As yet there has not, to our knowledge, been any council response beyond what was reported two weeks ago; letters to residents have been taking the same position. Whether councillors are listening to the tumult of public opinion is yet to be seen: the petition latest count is more than 1,700 signatures.
Update: Wanstead councillor Paul Donovan writes: “We understand concern about impact on local businesses and the high street. There was a consultation on the council’s street trading policy last year. Our position is to oppose any application that competes with existing businesses. There has been one application for a fruit and veg stall so far, that we have opposed. Those with concerns can contact us or the Licensing authority.”
So “Our position is to oppose any application that competes with existing businesses” doesn’t mean opposing them in principle, considering the obstacle they create for visually impaired people or wheelchair users, or the extra cost of continually having to object to applications that may be in competition. The consultation was not properly done and it wasn’t clear even what was being consulted on. I believe the Wanstead councillors have regular surgeries, so those may be an opportunity to ask further questions. And it’s local elections next year.
I agree, Caroline, we need this putting to bed . We shouldn’t have to keep signing petitions and writing to our Councillors.
However, as the fruit and veg stall has already made an application, maybe we should oppose this one now.
No one I know thinks this is a good move, bound to adversely affect existing businesses, clutter high street, and no meaningful consultation…. Why is the council wasting its time on this when there’s so much requiring attention..?
Obviously ‘our’ councillors don’t give a hoot for ANY of the businesses in the High Streert and as usual, are in total agreement with what Ilford wants…. I despair….
Its all well and good for Cllr Paul Donovan to tell us now that there was a (flawed) consultation last year. Why didn’t he tell anyone at the time?
Thoughts on having those market stalls along Wanstead High Street, … What are the stalls going to be selling? (Apart from the fruit & veg one).
What happens if one or more of those stalls aren’t financially viable, do they go out of business and the stall is shut down, or does someone else takes it over, and how long before nasty old toot starts being peddled?..
Also, in my experience, wherever there are market stalls there is also excessive litter and debris left around, which initially may be cleared up, but for how long.
No to Market Stalls along Our High Street.
Di any of the councillors live in Wanstead? Maybe we shouls approach them first to find out whether they agreed to this?
Clearly our council hasn’t a clue about long term financial sustainability!
Quick fix gain with no consideration of the impact within our unique Conservation Area.
Several empty shops on Our High Street.
How about offering these spaces to artists, makers, as workshop spaces. Proven way to increase footfall and therefore more money overall longer term.
With permanent market stalls Wansted will no longer be Wanstead. Just another high street.
And now another application for a Greek street food gazebo outside Tesco. More street clutter. Not in keeping with character of high street. Who thinks we need this?
Isn’t it about time we voted NO CONFIDENCE in our councillors and especially in Ilford council….