AFTER two years of promises, Sainsbury’s announced it has scrapped plans to open in Wanstead High Street this week.

The supermarket bought the old Barclays bank site back in 2014 but failed to commit to opening a store there.

After the site was left vacant, a group of squatters had to be removed from the building in July.

So if it is not going to be another supermarket, then what is it going to be?

Our reporter Lara Keay took to Wanstead High Street to see what people's ideas for the site are.

Rav Tanna, 33, works at The Wanstead Barber Shop

“It would be good to have another bank – we’ve only got Natwest and they only give you change if you’re a business customer.

“I’m glad it’s not going to be a Marks & Spencer or a Waitrose, because if something like that moves in, the rent goes up for everyone else.

“I think an affordable nursery would be a great idea – the kids just have to wait with their mums in the coffee shops – but if they had somewhere they could afford to leave them it would be great.”

David Burt, 41, from Leytonstone

“I’m really pleased it’s not going to be a Sainsbury’s. There’s already enough supermarkets here.

“It seems silly to have one supermarket three doors down from another one.

“We’ve got lots of independent businesses trying to survive and they won’t be able to do that if there are loads of chains.

“Maybe a community space where people can come and do arts and crafts would be a good idea.”

Mrs Brown, 76, lived in Wanstead all of her life

“They have to keep the building as it is, because it’s listed, so they can’t change much.

“We don’t need anywhere else to eat – there are so many cafes and restaurants in Wanstead people come from all over east London to eat here.

“Now we’ve lost Wanstead Police Station maybe it could be somewhere for the Safer Neighbourhoods Team (SNT) to meet.”

Hazel Jackman and Maisie Cusack, who have lived in Wanstead for over 30 years

Maisie said: “We don’t have much affordable stuff round here, so maybe it could be a Lidl, Aldi, or even a pound shop.

“You have to go to Leytonstone or Barkingside for a pound shop, so I think it would be food to have one here.”

Hazel added: “Whatever it is, it needs to be something a bit different.

“I’m glad it’s not going to be another supermarket, we don’t need anymore, with Tesco and Co-op already.

“Maybe a haberdashery would work well.”

Ginger Pig Manager Liam Moore said he would not mind another restaurant or café taking Barclays' place.

The 31-year-old said: “Another bank would be good, maybe Barclay’s should come back.

“Another restaurant or café would be good – you can never have enough competition.

“If it turns out to be another butcher, bring it on.”

Fellow Wanstead businessman Wanstead Fish owner Kevin Murphy said the high street needs more “proper shops”.

“It’s quite a big building, so a small independent café wouldn’t really take up enough space.

“Maybe another restaurant would be better.

“I don’t want to see a horrible chain store, we need proper shops in Wanstead High Street.

“With The Orange Tree, the newsagents and Londis closing down, we need to see more independent businesses thriving.”

A spokesman for Sainsbury’s said: “We will now be marketing the site to interested parties so we bring the building back into use as quickly as possible.”

What do you think the site should be used for? Send your comments to lara.keay@london.newsquest.co.uk.