Wansteadium confesses its attention might have been on something else recently, but promises once again to try to do better.
In the meantime, one of our occasional news round-ups. Any one of these items could have been a story in its own right.
In 2012 Wanstead was much exercised by the brash signage on a new takeaway, BBQ Express, which replaced a takeaway previously there called Chicken Spot. Well things are changing again, and BBQ Express is to be replaced with a chicken shop.
- Meanwhile it’s RIP for Alba Trattoria. Before that there was La Marmiton, Longhorn, the Smokehouse, and Cinnamon. Longstanding residents please tell us what was before Cinnamon?
- All of which means there are more empty shops on Wanstead High Street than there have been for a very long time. Not good. Remember people, shop local.
- Joice, formerly Sumo Fresh, formerly the Olive Branch, has apparently changed names. Wansteadium couldn’t quite make out its new name (declining eyesight).
- The squat, if squat it be, continues but seems to do so quietly. O/H in Nightingale Lane: “Gail’s was a squat once, so our hopes are high for something nice.”
- The plan to demolish one of the last remaning parts of old Wanstead, the three shops on Woodbine Place, and replace them with a modern set of buildings, has reared its head again. Planners are considering them, but objections flew. One well-informed correspondent wrote: “The proposal is to demolish a locally listed centrally located and prominent building in the conservation area! This must be refused. The building is a charming vernacular terrace retaining original features such as the undulating clay pan tile roof. It harks back to when Wanstead truly was a village and its loss would be detrimental to the conservation area and Wanstead and Redbridge generally. Wanstead is the jewel in Redbridge’s crown and must be protected. The proposed replacement with a nondescript office block would be a step backwards – IT CERTAINLY DOES NOT ENHANCE THE CONSERVATION AREA.”
- We still wait and see what will become of the former Wanstead Dry Cleaners in the key position on the High Street. Intelligence please to info@wansteadium.com.