Romford shops celebrated at Bridgerton-themed awards event

The Mercury Shopping Centre held its Retailer Awards on August 16 with businesses at the shopping centre recognised for their contribution towards the community in nine different categories.

The winners and nominees were chosen by an online vote.

The ceremony was themed on award-winning historical drama Bridgerton. Guests included Havering mayor Stephanie Nunn.

Mayor of Havering Stephanie Nunn gave out the ‘Shining Star Award’ to H&T Pawnbroker’s Daisy Esguerra (Image: Paul Fox from Event Capture)

There was a classical violin set by a local musician, a menagerie of birds hosted by Exotic Explorers and live contortion performances.

Contorsionist from Bridgerton Series- Claudia Contortion at the event (Image: Paul Fox from Event Capture)

The shining star award was presented to Daisy Esguerra of H&T Pawnbrokers.

The shopping centre said that Daisy was given the accolade “for her happy demeanour and welcoming of new staff into the centre’s community".

Premiere Cinemas was awarded in the community recognition category for going “above and beyond in supporting local charities and community groups”.

Mayuri Raja, community champion with Premiere Cinema representative Charles - receiving community recognition award (Image: Paul Fox from Event Capture)

Their various initiatives, including giving local gaming club Dicing With Life a rent-free home for six months and supporting Havering’s LGBTQIA+ youth group, earned them the title.

The award for visual merchandising was given to Cobra Monkey Tattoo Emporium, a family-run business, for their “stunning shop aesthetics”.

Maria and Adam Edwards, owners of Cobra Monkey at the event ceremony (Image: Paul Fox from Event Capture)

The Mercury spokesperson said: “This store prides itself on being a creative space for its clients and earlier in the year partnered with local arts group Havering Changing to be the backdrop of a theatrical community performance about the Tattoos of Havering called Inked.”

A new business in the centre - Excel Kids - won the ingenuity award for their seven-day-a-week childcare business plan.

Excel Kids team with Torren from Kings & Queens Hospital Charity. They received the Ingenuity award (Image: Paul Fox from Event Capture)

Other winners included Yours for their “friendly customer experience” and Timpson’s for their “continued dedication to environmentally friendly practice”.

Babywear store Storky’s and fast food chain McDonald's took home the small and large retailer of the year awards respectively.

The centre's deputy manager, Natalie Bays, said: “I always enjoy seeing our tenants being rewarded for the hard work they put in day to day.

A violin set was played by local artist Megan (Image: Paul Fox from Event Capture)

“It is sometimes difficult to see how much impact you are having in retail, especially when times are tough. So, any nomination a store or individual has received with so much competition is a real big indicator that you are doing well."

Julie Frost from Romford Business Improvement District pictured with Mark Dover from Time FM (Image: Paul Fox from Event Capture)

Spencer Hawken, centre manager, added: “Each and every nominated business in the evenings award event are helping us achieve a very special place to shop in Romford.”