Protest Meeting Held Against Redbridge Council’s Market Stall Decision.

A protest meeting was held on Saturday, 4pm at Christ Church, Wanstead, in response to Redbridge Council’s controversial decision to install nine market stalls along Wanstead High Street.

The meeting, which took place from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM, was attended by hundreds of local residents and business owners, all voicing strong opposition to the Council’s plans.

Local stakeholders expressed frustration that the Council proceeded with the decision without consulting residents or local businesses.

The Council claimed that the decision had been publicised on social media, a justification that was widely criticised as insufficient and unacceptable.

The Leader of Redbridge Council, Cllr Kam Rai, was expected to attend this crucial meeting but withdrew at the last minute, which drew further criticism from attendees. Representing the Council in his absence were local councillors Jo Blackman and Daniel Morgan. However, many residents felt their questions were left unanswered, and the councillors were unable to provide satisfactory responses to the community’s concerns.

During the meeting, Mark Gitsham PCC of Wanstead, raised that the Liberal Democrats had previously written to the Council regarding the issue but received no reply. Mohammed Ohid Uddin, also a PCC, stated that the presence of the Council Leader was essential and urged the councillors present to relay the community’s demand: that the decision be reversed and the market stall plan scrapped.

The event was chaired by former councillor Mr Collin and saw strong representation from the Wanstead Liberal Democrats, including Mark Gitsham, Mohammed Ohid Uddin, Humza Sair, Neil Hepworth, Rosemary Thomas, Janet Cornish and others.

The message from residents and local business owners was clear — they feel let down by the Council’s lack of transparency and consultation, and they stand united in opposition to the market stall proposal.