Author: Wansteadium

Horsfall and Wright to leave Wanstead

Exclusive: Trendy gift shop Horsfall and Wright is moving out of Wanstead, Wansteadium understands. It is planning to relocate in bigger premises in a busier High Street, though it is not yet clear where that will be. The move is expected within the month.

The shop, which came to Wanstead High Street three years ago, has been opening less frequently lately as preparations are made for its move.

Last year its minimalist chic earned it a nomination in the Wanstead Society’s best shop front competition, when it was commended for a “well thought-out design” and for being a “smart injection into less-favoured end of the High Street”.

The news will come as a blow to shoppers as well as other retailers, and comes just a few weeks after it was revealed that delicatessen The Olive Branch had been put up for sale. Hardened Horsfall and Wright fans will still be able to buy online.


UPDATE: Tweet from Mark Bentley: Andrews Builders Merchants to close in Wanstead. Too many people coming in for just a washer, it would seem. Sad though, been there forever.

(To get in touch with Wansteadium, e-mail us at wansteadium[at]googlemail.com.)

Wanstead Tristram Hunt fans miss out (again)

It must have seemed like a great idea for TV historian Tristram Hunt to plan to give a talk in the Redbridge Book and Media Festival at Wanstead Library. He was, after all, talked about as a possible prospective Labour party candidate in the very safe Labour Leyton and Wanstead seat. And the event was planned for just days before the expected date of the general election – a perfect opportunity to speak to prospective constituents about the life of Friedrich Engels,  the subject of his latest book.

Things didn’t turn out quite like that – John Cryer won the nomination, and Mr Hunt instead turned his ambitions towards Stoke on Trent, where he is hoping to succeed former Labour minister Mark Fisher.

The posters advertising the event at Wanstead Library now have “CANCELLED” across them.

Book and Media festival events in Wanstead

The Redbridge Book and Media Festival hits Wanstead on Thursday (15 April). Events in the festival are shared around Redbridge, but the Wanstead events – most of which at the Library on Spratt Hall Road are below. There are some more details here, but sadly the festival brochure is unavailable for download – all links on the Redbridge site to the PDF are broken.

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