Geoff Wilkinson writes on Wanstead Daily Photo: “I thought this photograph of the sky was an appropriate picture for today as we wait for the promised high winds and gales tonight. This was taken earlier this week, clouds are always fascinating. It was the three layers in the sky that drew my attention, the warm colours at the bottom, then the grey clouds in the centre and finally a little blue sky on top. Let’s see what tonight brings.”
In an innovation for Wansteadium, here is a listicle about what’s apparently on the menu for Wanstead restaurants.
1. Cinnamon – the former Indian restaurant which Domino’s tried to convert into a takeaway – may be about to become an upmarket burger joint. Local councillor and active tweeter Paul Canal suggests a branch of GFK, but we do not have confirmation of this.
2. Canal also suggests stalwart Italian restaurant Gioberti’s is about to change hands.
For the first time ever my dad called a family meeting to deliver some terrible news! Gioberti's is closing! #sadtimes #needtogo
— Sarah Garlick (@SarahGarlick88) October 23, 2013
3. While attention has been paid to the application to build a shopping arcade on Wanstead High Street, another unrelated application to convert the former Allied Irish Bank into a restaurant has mostly passed under the radar. The application is from a local man, Mr M Foster, and was to be considered by the Conservation Area Committee on Thursday night. As has been remarked before, this could be an amazing opportunity.
Nearly always occupied, with thriving outdoor smoking area (ie on the pavement), the Duke of Edinburgh on Nightingale Lane is now strangely empty with no sign to indicate what’s going on. There is some old carpet stacked up outside so it may be a simple refurbishment – anyone who knows what’s happening please leave a comment.
@Wansteadium Any idea what's happened to The Duke of Edinburgh? It's been looking like the Marie Celeste for last couple of weeks.
— Milquetoast (@Milquetoast1) October 20, 2013
@Wansteadium Went past last wkd, people inside, colour swatches on the table, no sign of major works. Will miss the enormous firework dsply.
— Jonathan Gladwin (@MrPew) October 24, 2013
@Wansteadium "Unexpected" Change of ownership / management. Should open in next ten days.
— Cllr Paul Canal (@RedbridgeBlue) October 24, 2013
Belgique is up for sale, according to Wansteadium’s favourite weekend read, Bakeryinfo.co.uk.
The site reports that the cafe chain, which now has 10 branches in Woodford Green, Bishops Stortford, Loughton, Epping and others, served by its patisserie chefs from the Wanstead HQ, is being offered for an undisclosed sum. Full story is here.
It’s just a few weeks since its founder and boss Igor Bekaert won a battle with Redbridge planners over the terrace which he installed at the front of the Cambridge Park branch. He collected more than 1,000 signatures opposing an order that the £120,000 terrace be removed, and the decision was overturned by a planning inspector.
Think of all the free cakes RT @Wansteadium: Psst! Wanna buy Belgique? Yup, the whole thing… http://t.co/yrstWqKi49
— Paul Nettleton (@PaulANettleton) October 20, 2013
Geoff Wilkinson writes on Wanstead Daily Photo: “I must have had a psychic moment the other day walking down the High Street, I felt compelled to take a photograph of Jolliffe’s. Lo and behold I understand planning permission [application] has gone in for flats and a mini shopping mall, whoa spooky! Not really I just realised I had never taken a close up of the building.”
Wansteadium’s property  blogger George C Parker writes:
Shuffle up dear Wansteadians, it’s getting rather busy around the old place of late. People are flocking to the village in droves, pouncing on every property that comes to market. There’s a swagger in the step of every sales and letting agent in the place, as some dear Wansteadium readers have been finding out.
This week a plaintive tweet bewailed the short supply of one-bed flats for rent, with one having received 7 offers from prospective tenants on the first day alone. By all accounts viewing sessions are resembling minor sieges, such is the demand. I’ll be monitoring our friend’s timeline in earnest in the hope that her ideal new home becomes available very soon. Channelling Sir Winston: the darkest hour is just before the dawn. And to quote Parker: your perfect property is definitely out there, it’s merely a matter of finding it.
Here’s an example; aside from one bedroom apartments, there is an extremely short supply of Wanstead police stations on the market at the moment. In fact I can only see one for sale at present, and despite a certain dilapidation, some missing roof lead etc, I am certain that it will be snapped up very soon. Possessing such a commanding view of Wanstead, its bakeries and fast food outlets, and with plenty of office, detention and parking facilities – it’s surely only a matter of time before Spratt Hall Nick is purchased by the Met. It’s tailor made as an office for officers to carry out serious crime detection and prevention initiatives based on technology and social media. They can have that idea for free.
Some interesting properties have caught my monocled eye this week: firstly this splendid “bungalow” on the Avenue. It’s a clever redevelopment, offering a luxury-sized residence for those who prefer or need not to use stairs.
Secondly, for those who do appreciate a good staircase – this beauty here comes with a balustrade that could be highly polished for maximum downward sliding velocity. Handy for the sports clubs down that way as well.
Finally, I can’t help wondering if the recent success of the Fringe has dusted us all with a little extra pride and enjoyment in Wanstead life. The local estate agents tended to think so, with most of them mentioning it in their glossy Summer mailouts. By and large, Evergreen-shaped fiascos notwithstanding, 2013 has gone well thus far. We now have sushi, we got an outdoor (very nearly underwater) cinema venue and we have a Fringe. We’re definitely getting cooler now. Sit tight!
