Romford Shopping Hall is one of Romfords longest standing and trading businesses and a leading retail location for East London and Essex. Having completed a massive re-development in 2008 it is currently enjoying a revival, bursting with a wide range of offers from food to fashion, games, reading, gifts, accessories and of course a proper good cup of tea.
Romford Shopping Hall has just been re-built into a state-of-the-art market hall, designed by top retail designers from Portland design. In an age when so many markets are sidelined in new developments, the owners Land Management have stayed true to the small independent trader. They initiated the development with the objective of ensuring that the market was at the very centre of the scheme – at the crossroads between the bus stops and the old market place: phased and partially relocated so trading could continue throughout the building work.
Grand pilasters at the entrance lead into a light and airy market hall, with a large roof lights over a central atrium and escalators from ground to first floor. The feel is traditional, but also modern. The retail units are of high quality, built by craftsmen from Northern Italy. And a comprehensive package of environmental graphics and directional signage bring the market concept into the 21st century.
With the new building the Romford Shopping Hall is changing fast. The traders are having to experiment and improve their offers. There is significant emphasis on catering, providing a comfortable environment in which to have a cup of tea and a chat. Lovers of tradition can have pie and mash at Terry McDowell’s pie and mash shop. Traditional market fare comes from the butcher, the fishmonger and the greengrocer in the new Manna Food concept: those wanting something more exotic can visit the Turkish delicatessen or the Chinese supermarket. The non-food businesses range from wedding dresses and dress hire to a heavy metal shop and another focussed on the needs of witches and warlocks. If you can put a finger on what they do, a big chain would have done it.
Romford is a highly successful retail town, with three major shopping centres orientated towards the national retail chains. The new Romford Shopping Hall adds a contrasting dimension. Something different.