Home Store, in Market Place – formerly Debenhams followed by Aklu Plaza – will shut in “two to three weeks”, the Recorder understands.
Romford residents and shoppers told the Recorder that the clothes, bedding and kitchenware shop was “never busy”, but that a household retail name should take over the unit next.
One shopper, Emily Marsh, said: “I’ve never really been in there.
“A big brand name would be a good one, maybe The Range.
“John Lewis would be interesting.”
Others agreed, with several also calling for a John Lewis to open in the store, or for The Range to move from The Brewery so it is closer to Market Place.
One market trader said: “It needs a big name to take it over – it will never make it without that.
“A good supermarket would make it. The thing is they will never come here because of the parking.
“It [the unit] looks nice but there’s not enough people who want to buy it.”
Shoppers and market traders had lots of different ideas for the future of the former Debenhams store (Image: Charlotte Anderson)
Another market trader added: “It’s never been busy like Debenhams [was]. You need a big brand in there.”
READ MORE: Former Aklu Plaza in Market Place opens – readers react
Staff at Home Store confirmed the shop’s impending closure on Wednesday, but emphasised that the furniture shop on the left hand side will remain open.
More inventive suggestions were put forward for the future of the Home Store space by market traders, including “a giant pub” and a children’s soft play area.
One Romford Recorder reader, Natalie Parker, even put forward the idea of a games or arcade space.
She said: “Indoor golf, boom bar, adult fair ground games like up London. Escape room.
“It could all go in there.”
