The Entertainer in The Mercury Shopping Centre will close permanently after the group chief executive officer of the business confirmed to the Recorder “with considerable regret” that the store is no longer “commercially viable” and the lease will not be renewed.
Andrew Murphy OBE said: “Sadly, it is a fact of retail life that shops sometimes have to close, as shopping patterns shift and cost growth outstrips sales increases.
“We remain committed to serving the people of Romford through our nearby store at Romford Brewery.”
The closure has split opinions and several readers commented on our Facebook page this week sharing their thoughts.
Ian Cooper commented: “Sad to see it go – hope the staff move in the Brewery Entertainer store.”
Sarah Jane said: “This is where my son done his work experience.
“Such a shame.
“All the staff are so lovely – so sad for them.”
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Carol Fletcher share a similar view on the employees. She wrote: “That’s sad to hear.
“They had lovely staff in there.”
Michelle Nevill also described the closure as “sad” whilst Richard Davis said: “Love that store – spent loads there.”
However, not everyone was overly upset with the closure.
Bela Green shared how she thought it was expensive compared to other shops and multiple other people mentioned having the other branch in the Liberty should soften the blow.
“Good riddance!” she wrote.
Carole Pereira noted how she thought online shopping has “killed” the high street and Janet Day claimed “we’ll be lucky if we have any shops left”.
