The first mention of The Windmill’s existence in Market Place is recorded in a 1762 licensing record.
The watering hole resided at number 64 in the market square until 1910, at which time it was styled as the Romford Commercial Hotel under Abridge Brewery.
Guests of the inn were provided livery and stables, with archives recording that R. Orrock and Co. horse slaughterers had their premises registered in the yard of the pub.
According to Havering Libraries, the pub’s original name was changed in 1811 to the name that stuck with it until its closing date.
The Windmill became The Windmill and Bells after the Horse and Groom in London Road had a name change to the New Windmill in 1793.
The pub was located by one of Romford’s windmills, with people tending to refer to the original Windmill as ‘The Old Windmill’.
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In 1906, Ind Coope and Co voluntarily surrendered the licence of The Windmill and Bells to allow for a licence to be gained for a premises in Becontree.
The fate of the pub was sealed, and it stood empty in Market Place until it was purchased in 1910 by Stone & Son.
In its place a store was built, which would later make way for Debenhams in 1973.
