Pictures: Egg-cellent Easter egg hunt and slime workshop 'encourages shoppers back to high street'

Following on from a bonnet-making workshop at Romford Shopping Hall, which kicked off its Easter activities on March 26, the egg-cellent fun continued on April 7 with an Easter egg hunt around units used by the independent businesses in the centre.

Michelle Fitzgibbons, sales and marketing manager at the hall, said: "We had over 200 children, all the shopkeepers got involved. Everyone had so much fun."

Children enjoyed the egg hunt (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Lara Solanki, seven (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Youngsters of all ages were tasked with following a map to hunt down ten locations around the centre in order to pick up sweets, fluffy chicks and of course, chocolate eggs.

"It was something to do with them [the children] and get out and about without breaking the bank," Michelle added.

Albie, seven; Ollie, six; George Shae Davies, one; Maisie Stoner, four; and Nathan Usuanlele, three at Kiddiewinks (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Kiah Lennon Reeve, three, at Fab Enterprizes (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Chloe, 10, and Lily, five, enjoyed the egg hunt (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Then, the hall held five slime workshops on April 11 with Essex Slime Company, with 25 kids at each; the initial three slots sold out so quickly that Michelle decided to expand the event.

Zofia Poplawska, six (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Nova Jumeau, four (Image: Sandra Rowse)

The little'uns enjoyed squirting a syringe of slime and blowing bubbles with the squidgy goo during the session.

"The parents definitely got involved more than the kids," Michelle joked. "It was really good fun."

Molly and Ruby Chalmers, four and six (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Olivia Owiar, three (Image: Sandra Rowse)

She hopes the events will encourage shoppers back to the high street.

"Since Covid, footfall in the town centre has fallen dramatically, all the shopping centres here have felt a massive impact.

"We have to keep the high street alive."

Violet Dwiar and James Stewart, both six (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Ayla Hannan, six (Image: Sandra Rowse)

The shopping hall took no profits from the events, with proceeds only used to cover costs.

With some shop owners having recently retired, Michelle is also looking for new businesses to set up in vacated units from £150 a week. Find out more at www.romfordshoppinghall.com

The Recorder team is also hosting a weekly meet and greet in Romford Shopping Hall every Friday, apart from bank holidays.

Mathilda Kenwell, six (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Molly Chalmers, four (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Ruby Chalmers, six (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Yasin Chaudhury, five (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Michelle with the slime group and their slime pieces (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Sienna Taplin, two, and Joshua Taplin, four, with the Easter Bunny (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Aimee, 11; Chloe, eight; Hollie, eight; and Ivy, seven (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Madison Mcqueen, nine, and Mollie Mcqueen, seven (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Madison Mcqueen, nine, and Mollie Mcqueen, seven (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Josie Barthorpe, six, with the Easter Bunny (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Jax Barcley, four, and Tommy Pace, nine, at Alpha Books (Image: Sandra Rowse)

The Easter Bunny made a special visit to the egg hunt (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Abdul Kahn, four; Daniella Jan, nine; and Isabell Jan, three, at Pearl Of The Orient (Image: Sandra Rowse)

Oakleigh 10 and Isabelle, five, at Modernariato Italian Vintage Style (Image: Sandra Rowse)