Author: Wansteadium

A hitch for Wanstead’s new Sainsbury’s

Many people have been wondering what is happening to the new Sainsbury’s which was due to open in the former Barclays Bank before Christmas.

Wansteadium reader Kim wrote to the company to ask what was going on – it is, after all, nearly two years since the bank closed.

She received a reply from J Sainsbury which said:

“We do not have a confirmed opening date for our new Wanstead convenience store. Our contractors are on site but the work has been more extensive than we initially thought and this has led to a delay in opening. We will update people once we are in a position to do so.”

Nothing happening soon then…

More amazing drone shots of Wanstead

Wansteadium just can’t get bored of looking at these drone shots of Wanstead, as taken by Haz Anwar. (Sorry if you can, or indeed already are.)

 

A photo posted by Haroon Anwar (@haroonanwaruk) on

A photo posted by Haroon Anwar (@haroonanwaruk) on

A photo posted by Haroon Anwar (@haroonanwaruk) on

A photo posted by Haroon Anwar (@haroonanwaruk) on

A photo posted by Haroon Anwar (@haroonanwaruk) on

A photo posted by Haroon Anwar (@haroonanwaruk) on

A photo posted by Haroon Anwar (@haroonanwaruk) on

Four things Wanstead could covet from Victoria Park

The news that Wanstead is to get an Italian deli/Gastronomia – revealed here on Wansteadium on Wednesday – has raised hopes that vacant shops on the High Street might start to get filled by an interesting and diverse range of traders.

A few weeks ago we ran an article looking at various shops etc in Leytonstone, thinking how nice it would be if, for instance, Wanstead had its own bookshop/cafe.

But maybe Victoria Park is a better model. Before the Ginger Pig came to Wanstead, another feature of Victoria Park had already come to E11 – Luppolo’s sister pub The Lauriston.  So what else could Wanstead covet? Here are a few thoughts…

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The Gastronomia sounds like it will be an interesting deli, but this Victoria Park shop is a gem, with ice cream, cakes, pies, salads, cheeses etc.

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Similarly, Bottle Apostle offers a huge range of wines, and runs weekly wine-tastings.

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Haus is a very cool furniture, lighting and houseware shop (could have an affinity with the Orange Tree).

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Three years ago Wanstead had a short-lived pop-up toyshop of its own. Wanstead teems with children – and our new playground will doubtless be a bit of a draw.

Entrepreneurs, please take note.

 

Is this the Ginger Pig effect?

Is Wanstead about to see the start of a Ginger Pig effect where similar establishments start seeing the lure of the High Street?

We pose the question because Delicataste, which closed down only a couple of weeks ago after many years, is already being converted into a new shop. And, people, it’s not going to be a nail bar.

The shop is going to be an Italian delicatessen, or more accurately a gastronomia, selling fresh pasta and other produce. Three Italian brothers, who are farmers by background and already run a stall at the Farmers’ Market, are behind the scheme and are already busy converting the premises.

Meanwhile there are several other vacant properties on the High Street – two former banks, at the time of writing, plus others – which may be next in line (if they’re lucky).