Council looks to help Wanstead businesses adapt to climate change

On the 15th October 2026, Wanstead Village Labour Councillor and Redbridge Council’s Cabinet Member for Environment and Neighbourhoods, Jo Blackman, said that the Council is looking to assist local businesses make adaptations for extreme weather.

Her comments follow the publication of local group Wanstead Climate Action’s report on how businesses in Wanstead were affected by the heatwaves over the summer. The ten-page report, published on 29th September 2026, featured input from nine local businesses and community organisations, including Harvey’s Greengrocers and Toolbox. 

One of the report’s findings was that businesses experienced stock spoiling, and on occasion, had to shut for the day because of the heat. Blackman said, “we are now having to think about not only how we can keep people warm in winter, but how we can keep people cool in the summer”. 

The report identified measures that businesses wanted to see from the Council and the local MP, including investment in “cooling and climate adaptation”. Blackman noted that in its assistance to businesses, the Council would take care to ensure that any measures taken would be sustainable. “Anything like AC units would have to be […] sustainable”.

Green Party Councillor for Wanstead Village, Sue Whitehead, took to Facebook on the 12th October to share her enthusiasm for Wanstead Climate Action’s report. She wrote: “The report gives real food for thought on how Wanstead High Street is going to have to change in future years as summers get even hotter”. She also called on more local businesses to offer their thoughts on the subject.

Past environmental policies aimed at the borough’s businesses include the Business Low Emission Neighbourhood Project (BLEN). The project aimed to support active travel in Ilford’s Ley Street area to increase footfall outside local businesses, among other things such as increasing electric vehicle uptake.