Wanstead High Street is essential to our lives. We need it to thrive. But with the current economic climate and the mega shopping complexes going up around us, the question is “how?”.

It needs to be smarter – in both senses.

Smarter in looks

Smarter as in better designed and better kept – this will be part of the high street’s marketing appeal.

In recent years, we have seen the character slowly being eroded.

There are untold instances of the Conservation Area planning regulations being ignored. We have Conservation Area status to preserve the unique character of Wanstead, but a lack of attention has led to our high street looking like the poor relation compared with other conservation areas. Part of the campaign is awareness of the guidelines and demanding that Redbridge council upholds them.

Smarter in business

Local shopkeepers do not have the luxury of big marketing departments and expert retail consultants. Feedback from customers is essential, and part of this campaign is to make sure business owners hear what we want from them.

Stratford City – a shopping centre bigger than Bluewater – is coming, so we urgently need to promote Wanstead to keep it thriving. This means making it an attractive alternative by having enhancing its unique character and providing good services that meet the needs of the locals.

Use this website to learn more, leave comments, and get involved.