Romford businesses on facing tough cost-of-living choices

Linda McDowell, who has run Romford pie and mash shops for 45 years, said she has had to fight to stay afloat and keep prices affordable.

"You're fighting a losing battle," she said. "You can't start charging £10 for pie and mash because people will never come.

"With all the rates going up it's ridiculous."

Linda, who owns McDowell's Pie & Mash in Romford Shopping Hall, added that a sack of potatoes has more than doubled over the last few months from £7-9 to £14-20 each.

Other restaurants in the shopping complex have managed, but have had to work after hours.

Evelyn Goodyear, who co-runs Sunrise, a Filipino cafe, said her sister who is the owner sometimes gets no sleep.

"Sometimes she won't get any rest, but we have to pay the bills," she said. 

Sunrise has been in business in Romford for 20 years and Evelyn, who lives nearby, appealed for help from Havering Council.

Evelyn said her sister often goes without sleep to run her cafe. (Image: George Hayes)

"I would like to see more help for small businesses so they stay longer and won't disappear," she said.

Lee Simpson, who co-runs Ashley Brook Fabrics in Romford Shopping Hall with his wife, felt the market is worn out and in desperate need of salvation.

"See, this is an iconic place right, Romford Market," said Lee, pointing to the car park outside the shopping hall.

"But when you drive in here from the outside your first impression is it looks run-down, old, worn-out, people are not buying like they used to and the market is depleted."

Lee Simpson, who helps his wife run a fabric store, said Romford Market is 'depleted'. (Image: George Hayes)

Lee added that coach-loads of ladies used to visit on market days to shop for fruit and fabrics, but those days were done.

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A Havering Council spokesperson said:“We are constantly looking for ways to make the town centre more appealing to visitors to help bring back the buzz that is associated with Romford.

“As well as continually looking for new and exciting businesses for shop premises, we are offering new traders to the market a range of incentives, such as a freeze on renting pitches, events to attract customers and storage facilities to make setting up easier."

They said a new team of enforcement officers are cracking down on those littering, fly-tipping and leaving dog mess and issued more than 300 fixed penalty notices in their first week.

“In the meantime, we’ll continue to work with our partners, such as Romford BID, on projects and events to improve the town centre," the spokesperson added.

"We are in the process of developing a new Romford masterplan to ensure Romford continues to be a place where people want to live, work and visit.”

However, others in the shopping hall were more upbeat than Lee.

Sue Richardson, owner of Alpha Book Company, said she feels very lucky to still be in business.

"I feel very fortunate," she said. "Business is getting by, it's not going to make me rich but as long as I can pay my rent and bills I can't ask for anything more."

Sue Richardson, Alpha Book Company owner, said she feels very fortunate to be in business. (Image: George Hayes)

Sue, who charges £2.50 for new books, said she relied on a loyal customer base in Romford, where she has lived all her life.

Andy Brace, the owner of Worldwide Signings, a memorabilia store in the shopping hall, said times had been tough but encouraged people to think outside the box.

“Today it's not enough to open your doors and expect people to walk in, you have to think outside the box.

Andy Brace, Worldwide Signings owner, said boxing will always have a niche but he has been forced to think outside the box. (Image: George Hayes)

“Get your face out there online, otherwise in today’s world you just won’t survive,” he added.