Romford’s Entertainer Toy Store Closes for Good
The Entertainer toy store at Romford’s Mercury Shopping Centre is shutting down permanently. Group CEO Andrew Murphy OBE confirmed the store is no longer “commercially viable” and the lease will not be renewed. He expressed “considerable regret” but blamed changing shopping habits and soaring costs for the closure.
Shoppers Left Heartbroken by Store’s Shutdown
Murphy said: “Sadly, it is a fact of retail life that shops sometimes have to close, as shopping patterns shift and cost growth outstrips sales increases. We remain committed to serving the people of Romford through our nearby store at Romford Brewery.”
The news has hit local fans hard. On Facebook, shoppers shared their sadness:
- Ian Cooper: “Sad to see it go – hope the staff move to the Brewery Entertainer store.”
- Sarah Jane: “This is where my son did his work experience. Such a shame. All the staff are so lovely – so sad for them.”
- Carol Fletcher: “That’s sad to hear. They had lovely staff in there.”
- Michelle Nevill: Simply called it “sad.”
- Richard Davis: “Love that store – spent loads there.”
Mixed Reactions as Store Shuts
Not all are upset. Some locals thought the store was pricey. Bela Green tweeted: “Good riddance!” Others pointed to the second branch at Liberty Shopping Centre as a silver lining.
Carole Pereira blamed online shopping: “That’s what’s killing the high street.” Meanwhile, Janet Day warned, “We’ll be lucky if we have any shops left.”
