Author: Wansteadium

Another charity shop heads into Wanstead

The British Heart Foundation is believed to be opening a branch in the former Woolwich Building Society/Jenningsbet premises on Wanstead High Street, sources have told Wansteadium, reports which are supported by adverts published on Wednesday for an assistant manager (pictured).

Opinions will vary on whether a charity shop in such a prime spot will be a good thing. On the positive side, the shop has been vacant for exactly twelve months since Jenningsbet closed, and tough competition among charity shops is forcing charities to be more inventive in the kinds of shop they open – the Oxfam bookshop being a case in point.

But there’s no doubt that a proliferation of charity shops does not send the kind of signal to shoppers that many in Wanstead would be hoping for. Some will be particularly disappointed that the rumours that ironmongers Robert Dyas were interested in the site have come to nothing.

• There is good news, though, for those who are interested in increased diversity in Wanstead. From today, Friday, Wanstead has its own children’s hairdressers. It’s sited in the Knock Down Ginger boutique at the Snaresbrook end of the high street, and is open for appointments on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays. Prices start at £12, and bookings can be made through the shop’s website.

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Wanstead’s new Majestic: Not too shabby

Majestic before (left) and after (right)

The covers are off and the new sign is up; Wanstead’s Majestic Wine Warehouse is re-open for business and is looking pretty smart. Its days of feeling truly like a warehouse – complete with entry only from the car park – are behind it, and the refitted shop looks rather fancy. Customers can now enter from the High Street, but many will be happy to note that it seems as crammed full of crates and boxes as ever it was.

And those, including the excellent Wanstead Smarter High Street Campaign, who feared the planning application for a 10.5m illuminated sign would mean a garish eyesore can breath a sigh of relief (or possibly satisfaction, as their lobbying might have made a difference): the sign is large, yes, but quite elegant really.

Wanstead find-a-book service

Now this feels like real progress. Wanstead’s pride and joy, the Oxfam bookshop, is now offering to take orders.

If there’s a second hand book, CD, DVD or even LP you are after, the shop will take a note of your desire and let you know if it becomes available. To make things even easier, it’s all being co-ordinated through the shop’s Facebook page, which you can find here.

To Wansteadium this all feels like a pretty smart move.

• Incidentally, the shop will be holding a ‘do’ on 9 March from 7pm, for supporters and potential volunteers to get together over tea and cakes and find out more about the charity and the ways people can get involved.