Just weeks after the council launched its Shop Romford campaign, a grandmother-of-two has forked out �35 on a family day out, begging the question: is our town centre affordable?
Just weeks after the council launched its Shop Romford campaign, a grandmother-of-two has forked out �35 on a family day out, begging the question: is our town centre affordable?
With the school holidays in full swing, Fran Ross, 59, took her daughter-in-law May Ross and grandchildren Kiki, 4, and Poppy, 1, on a day out in Romford town centre.
Fran, of Grange Road in Romford, treated them to playtime at Kidspace in the Brewery, �11.85, lunch at BHS in The Liberty, �13, a go on the shopping centre’s tea cup ride, �3, and �8 for car parking at the Brewery.
The day out cost �35, with Fran arguing it was beyond the means of the majority of shoppers.
The Havering College technician said: “What annoyed me more than anything was the carparking charge. Lakeside has always been a contender because you can park for free and it’s all under one roof.
“Westfield in Stratford is just so easy. If you’ve got an oyster card you can use the train and you don’t even have to leave the station.
“There is an enormous selection of shops in Romford but it’s almost like three shopping areas – if you’re in the Brewery and you want to go to Asda you’ve got to go through The Liberty.”
Fran admitted Kidspace was a quality centre which offered a refund once her daughter-in-law bought a �90 yearly membership for daughter Kiki. However she lamented a ban on bringing your own food and charging adults to attend the centre.
She added that BHS offered value-for-money kids meals of just �1, including a drink and dessert.
The typical day out comes as Havering Council launched its Shop Romford campaign in an effort to entice shoppers in the face of recently-opened Westfield in Stratford.
Fran said: “Romford needs to prioritise - parking must be reduced, fairground-type rides are not needed and childrens’ play areas which are free or have a nominal charge would encourage young mums on a budget to shop in Romford.”
Is Romford town centre affordable? Email the Recorder at: news.desk@romfordrecorder.co.uk
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