A Mother's Day event is to be held in a Romford shopping centre and the organiser has appealed to people to support independent retailers.

Jasmina Rehman, whose mother runs restaurant Haute Panini in The Mercury Shopping Centre, Romford, has urged people to support independent business at her Mother's Day Bazaar on March 9.

The 24-year-old, who owns Maia the Muse, a company which helps small to medium-sized businesses, said some Romford-based retailers would be given the chance to sell their goods a day before Mother's Day (March 10).

Jasmina added that she understands the challenges for small businesses, such as her mother's, and was glad to give them greater visibility.

"I understand the difficulty of small businesses in getting a platform," she said. 

"I don't think there have been many opportunities for the community to come out, except the market, and smaller businesses haven't really been given that chance," she added.

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Romford Recorder: Jasmina Rehman urged people in Romford to come down and support independent business on March 9Jasmina Rehman urged people in Romford to come down and support independent business on March 9 (Image: Jasmina Rehman)

People will be able to buy Mother's Day gifts at the bazaar, including baked goods, art pieces and resin crafts.

Jasmina said small businesses, which include Zulakha’s Bakery, Nikki's Resin Creations and Art from the Hart, often face difficulties being seen.

She said she hoped the bazaar would provide an opportunity for them to do so, while being affordable enough for people grappling with high living costs.

"In the cost of living crisis people have to figure out if they would want to pay for this, or if they would want to go to that," Jasmina said. "That's one of the struggles at the moment."

Jasmina added that, while working at her mother's business, she heard people say they have had to curb spending to pay gas or electricity bills.

"When you hear it, you really understand it a lot more and the struggles people go through," she said.

Despite a difficult economic climate, Jasmina said Mother's Day was the perfect time to support independent retailers.

"Just come and show some community spirit, it's always nice to get your mum something lovely and homemade and something unique.

"This will be the best place to come and get it,” Jasmina added.

You can find a link to the free event here: www.eventbrite.com/e/mothers-day-bazaar-tickets-841416809327