How much did the Co-op refit cost?

Regular readers will know that Wansteadium was pleasantly surprised by the refurbishment of the Wanstead Co-op. But we came across this old story from the Wanstead Guardian from January, which reveals that the cost of the work was to be £820,000. Did they get their money’s worth?

Introducing the ‘Visit Wanstead’ challenge

Lonely Planet has just published a timely volume – a tour guide to Stratford and East London. With millions of visitors in town, and the eyes of the world on East London, one might think it was just the time for such a work to mention the wonders of Wanstead (even if only in passing).

But no – an initial eager check of the index shows no mentions of Wanstead. An incredulous full search of the entire text turns up nothing.

So this is the time for Wanteadium readers to rally to the cause and put it right. By the end of the week, let’s assemble a ten-point list of reasons one might want to visit Wanstead. Please send suggestions to wansteadium[at]gmail.com, to @wansteadium on Twitter, or via comments below. Consider it a 2012 challenge.

Wanstead shops update: It really is farewell to One Deko now

High class designer furniture shop One Deko, which bravely attempted to give Wanstead High Street a second go a year ago, is finally making its melancholy, long, withdrawing roar. A sign placed in the window on Saturday reads:

“It is with regret that we will finally close our Onedeko branch here in Wanstead. We would like to extend our sincere personal thanks to all who have shopped here over the past five years. If business success was measured in goodwill and support this shop would not be closing but unfortunately its closure is a purely commercial business decision.”

The note also promises that all outstanding orders will be fulfilled, that the Spitalfields branch is remaining open, and that the shop is open to offers for any stock on display. It was in March last year that a previous incarnation of the shop died, only for it to return (amid much Twitter speculation) with a new lick of paint exactly a year ago this weekend.

The closure leaves a prime shopfront open to any entrepreneurs, though this is clearly not the right premises for the much wished-for Robert Dyas to open. (Incidentally, Theo Paphitis – no stranger to Wanstead – recently bought Robert Dyas. We will be tweeting him this article.)

However, the interesting tale of the former chocolate shop continues. The Wanstead Society has lodged complaints that the upstairs windows are not actually sash windows, and the developer is obliged to reinstate the former building. But the newly installed shopfronts clearly have a bit of class about them.

And an interesting point to note for those who appreciate this kind of thing: in an energy saving move, the milk in the new Co-op is – like other chilled goods – not on open shelves.

Foxes could win Olympic bin binge

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Householders in Wanstead and the rest of Redbridge are being told they will need to put out their rubbish bags by 6am over the summer, so bin lorries can avoid the weight of Olympic traffic.

With collections starting earlier in the morning, all but the earliest of risers will no doubt be tempted to put bags out before they go to bed – meaning the borough’s flourishing vulpine population could be in for a feeding frenzy.

Letters are to be distributed this week advising residents of the change, which will last until after the Paralympics in September.

Officials recognise the potential for foxly mischief, however. A council statement says: “Residents are also asked to try to ensure that rubbish is stored securely in a bin to prevent it being attacked by animals and spilling out into gardens and roads.”