Wanstead’s Olive Branch ‘for sale’

It’s mysterious, but it seems that the Olive Branch, one of Wanstead’s popular coffee shops, is up for sale. An advert posted at Christie & Co describes the cafe as offering a “prime location in an affluent area”, with “good day and night footfall”, a “covered pavement area with seats”, and with “scope to improve trade”. The quoted price for the lease is £95,000, though it’s not stated how long this has to run.

There would be plenty of people in Wanstead who would be sorry to see the end of the Olive Branch, if that’s what this advert portends. It’s especially appreciated for being roomy and capable of accommodating families. But competition has seriously increased in the past year with Wanstead’s new Starbucks being rarely less than buzzing.

Any more information welcome at wansteadium[at]googlemail.com or via comments below.

Devon House successor?

Former Devon House Interiors on Hermon HillAs Wansteadium noted last week, the “Opening Soon” posters completely covering the windows of the former Devon House Interiors on Hermon Hill are pretty successful at building a sense of anticipation: it’s a large shop, great setting, lots of people passing… what could it be? A restaurant, perhaps? A new cafe? A bookshop even?

Underwhelming as it might seem, Wansteadium has reason to believe it’s going to be a kitchen and bathroom showroom. (Sound of hopes being dashed.)

Wanstead news roundup, 28.03.10; Potholes, The Larder, Knock Down Ginger

Road safety plans costing £165,000 have been agreed for New Wanstead, which has an accident rate 30% higher than other equivalent roads in Redbridge. The plans will include a new pedestrian island, new lighting and a new road surface. Details at Wanstead Guardian.

Pot Idol update: Redbridge Council has allocated £250,000 to repair more than 8,000 potholes across the borough. (See more Pot Idol here)

The Larder, the Orange Tree and the Wanstead Leisure Centre have all been nominated for the Smooth Radio Love London Awards.

It’s back to business for children’s boutique Knock Down Ginger, which featured in the News of the World after a visit by bailiffs.

Wanstead general election leaflets, pt 1

Wansteadium is launching its collection of general election leaflets. As with other local news websites around the country, we will attempt to upload images of all general election leaflets distributed between now and the expected polling day of 6 May. You can see other leaflets from around the country on the website The Straight Choice, a non-party live election leaflet monitoring project.

First up, Labour’s John Cryer, delivered in Snaresbrook ward on 23 March.

[nggallery id=2]

(Please feel free to let us know of any others you have delivered if you live in the constituency of Leyton and Wanstead, either via comments or to wansteadium-at-googlemail.com.)