We checked 19 Romford shops, from Storky's childrenswear to Alpha Books, for opening hours, addresses and what each one sells. Updated November 2026.

Romford has 19 shops worth a Christmas shopping trip in 2026, and this guide puts them in one place with opening hours, addresses and what each one sells. Romford Market, Storky, Precious Thoughts and Alpha Books are good places to start. Every entry was checked on 5 November 2026 against the shop’s own site or its shopping centre’s listing, and we say where we could not.

We have not shopped at any of these for this guide, and nothing here is a review. Each entry says what the shop says it sells. The hours are regular hours: none of these shops had posted Christmas hours, and the centres all warn that individual shops can differ from their published times.

Dates for the Christmas shopping diary

Date What Where
Thursday 12 November, 5.30pm to 6.30pm Romford Town Hall tree switch-on Havering Town Hall, Main Road
14 November to 24 December, from 10am Santa’s Grotto at The Liberty, booking through Great Grottos The Liberty
27 November to 2 January Christmas Land, lights walkway from £5.50, not a shopping market Harrow Lodge Park, Hornchurch
Saturday 28 November, 10am to 1pm Christmas Fair, free entry, stalls take cash only Stewart Avenue Allotments, Upminster
Saturday 5 December, 12pm to 4pm The Mean Green One roams the centre The Brewery
Saturday 5 December, 10am to 1pm Christmas table top sale, free admission Elm Park Baptist Church
5 and 6 December, 11am to 4pm Art and craft fair, free, last read 29 October Rainham Hall
Saturday 12 December, 11am to 3.30pm The Snowman and The Snowdog, free, at intervals The Brewery, Level 1
Saturday 19 December, 10am to 3pm Christmas Market and Windmill Open Day, free entry Upminster Windmill

The Liberty’s grotto page gives two finishing times, 3pm and 4.50pm, so check when you book. The Mercury had not dated its 2026 grotto or its Snow’s Fayre of handmade gifts, which ran on Level 2 last year. More on our Christmas markets and Santa’s grotto pages.

Market Place

1. Romford Market

The market dates to 1247, when it opened by Royal Order as a sheep and cattle market. The council now describes fashion, homeware, fresh food and street food stalls, “from fashion to fresh fish and seafood, toys to trainers, books to bananas”, with different traders on each day.

It promises “a full Christmas programme” but had announced no extra 2026 trading days. Well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome.

Open Wed and Fri 9am to 4.30pm; Sat 9am to 5pm
Address Market Place, RM1 3ER
Website havering.gov.uk/romfordmarket
Good for fashion, homeware, fresh food, street food, dogs welcome

2. Havering Museum shop

The shop sits just inside the museum entrance and is free to visit whenever the museum is open, so you do not need the £3 gallery ticket. It stocks local history books, souvenir mugs, pencils and fridge magnets, postcards and reprints of old Ordnance Survey maps.

For children there are pocket money toys, books, coins and replica packs. The museum opens on Saturdays only when an event is on.

Open Wed to Fri 11am to 4.30pm, last entry to the shop 4pm
Address 19-21 High Street, RM1 1JU
Website haveringmuseum.org.uk/visit-us/shop
Good for local history books, old maps, pocket money toys

Romford Shopping Hall

The hall at 43 Market Place opened in 1932, and describes itself as an “incredible diverse mix of independent traders”. It publishes hall hours of Monday to Wednesday 9am to 5pm, Thursday to Saturday 9am to 6pm and Sunday 10am to 4pm, and says some shops keep different times, so ring first if you are making a special trip. Most of the traders below publish no hours of their own.

3. Alpha Books

Sells new and pre-owned books for £3 or less, with sale books at 50p and puzzle books at £1.25 each or three for £3. Bring books in to trade and the shop says you could get 50p credit on each one it accepts.

Open Mon to Wed 9am to 5pm; Thu to Sat 9am to 6pm; Sun 10am to 4pm (hall hours, the shop may differ)
Price books £3 or less; sale books 50p
Call 07833 748 641
Address Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, RM1 3AB
Website romfordshoppinghall.com/gifts/alpha-books
Good for new and used books, puzzle books, book trade-ins

4. KC Toys and Collectables

The owners say they spent more than 30 years buying and selling toys at markets, boot sales and toy fairs before taking a unit here. They list new toys, baby toys, remote control toys and Barbie dolls, alongside collectables such as Corgi buses, Matchbox cars and action figures.

Hot Wheels cars are the stated speciality, and the shop also buys collections.

Open Mon to Sat 9am to 5pm
Call 07743 479 521
Address Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, RM1 3AB
Website romfordshoppinghall.com/gifts/kc-toys-and-collectables
Good for Hot Wheels, die-cast collectables, new toys

5. Cards and Balloons

A card specialist whose hall listing runs from wedding and anniversary designs to humour cards, embossed, letterpress and 3D pop-up cards, sympathy cards and blank ones. It does not mention Christmas cards specifically, so ring ahead if you want a particular range.

Open Mon to Wed 9am to 5pm; Thu to Sat 9am to 6pm; Sun 10am to 4pm (hall hours, the shop may differ)
Call 07961 778 272
Address Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, RM1 3AB
Website romfordshoppinghall.com/gifts/cards-and-balloons
Good for humour cards, pop-up cards, blank cards

6. Tick Tock

A watch shop that says it was founded more than 29 years ago in Market Place. It sells watches, repairs them on site and replaces batteries for all brands of watches and clocks, with what it calls a while-you-wait service.

It says all its products come with a one-year guarantee.

Open Mon to Wed 9am to 5pm; Thu to Sat 9am to 6pm; Sun 10am to 4pm (hall hours, the shop may differ)
Call 01708 397 315
Address Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, RM1 3AB
Website ticktockwatchshop.wordpress.com
Good for watches, on-site repairs, battery changes

7. Ramassess Jewellery

The hall’s other jewellery trader sells a range of gold jewellery, carries out repairs on the premises and buys gold. Its listing gives no prices, so ask about a repair’s cost and timing if you want something back before Christmas Day.

Open Mon to Wed 9am to 5pm; Thu to Sat 9am to 6pm; Sun 10am to 4pm (hall hours, the shop may differ)
Call 07384 032 555
Address Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, RM1 3AB
Website romfordshoppinghall.com/jewellery/ramassess-jewellery
Good for gold jewellery, jewellery repairs

8. Wanderers Haven Charity Shop

Sells new and second-hand bric-a-brac, clothing, shoes, bags, children’s toys, puzzles, soft toys, homeware and pet items, with new stock arriving weekly. The shop says every purchase funds the care of the animals and the running of its animal sanctuary.

Open Mon to Wed 9am to 5pm; Thu to Sat 9am to 6pm; Sun 10am to 4pm (hall hours, the shop may differ)
Call 07763 646 257
Address Romford Shopping Hall, 43 Market Place, RM1 3AB
Website romfordshoppinghall.com/gifts/wanderers-haven-charity-shop
Good for charity shop, soft toys, homeware, pet items

The Mercury

The Mercury publishes centre hours of Monday to Saturday 9am to 5.30pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm, with free parking all day on Sundays. It says late-night shopping runs “during the festive period” but had posted no 2026 dates. See our parking in Romford page for the alternatives.

9. Precious Thoughts

The Mercury describes a card and gift shop near the foot of the escalators on Level 1, selling greeting cards, picture frames, seasonal decorations and keepsakes. A sponsored Havering Daily profile from August 2025 says it is family-run, opened in 2014 and also makes up bespoke balloons.

Open Mon to Sat 9am to 5.30pm; Sun 10.30am to 4.30pm
Call 01708 720 547
Address Level 1, The Mercury, Mercury Gardens, RM1 3EE
Website themercurymall.co.uk/shops/precious-thoughts
Good for cards, seasonal decorations, keepsakes, balloons

10. Storky Baby and Children

A family-run childrenswear boutique, three generations in the trade by the Mercury’s account, selling clothing, shoes and gifts from premature sizes up to age 14. It stocks occasionwear and handmade luxury items sourced from Spain, across Europe and local suppliers.

A sponsored Havering Daily profile from January 2026 traces it from a market stall, and it still trades on Romford Market as well as in the centre.

Open Mon to Sat 9.30am to 5pm; Sun 10.30am to 4.30pm; on Romford Market Wed, Fri and Sat 8am to 4.30pm
Call 07584 296 750
Address The Mercury, Mercury Gardens, RM1 3EE
Website storky.uk
Good for babywear, occasionwear, children's gifts

11. Toytown

Founded in Belfast in 1980, Toytown calls itself one of the largest independent toy retailers in the UK, so this is a small chain rather than a one-off shop. Its Mercury listing promises one of the widest ranges of toys on the high street and staff who will help you find something for any occasion.

Open Mon to Sat 9am to 5.30pm; Sun 11am to 5pm
Address Level 2, The Mercury, Mercury Gardens, RM1 3EE
Website toytownstores.com
Good for toys, children's gifts

12. Liberty Flowers

The Mercury calls this one of Romford’s longest-standing florists, with seasonal bouquets, houseplants and arrangements. Despite the name it trades in The Mercury, not The Liberty.

It had posted no Christmas range on the sources we could read, so ring for wreaths or table flowers.

Open Mon to Sat 8am to 5.30pm; Sun 11am to 4pm
Call 01708 743 033
Address The Mercury, Mercury Gardens, RM1 3EE
Website libertyflowers.co.uk
Good for seasonal bouquets, houseplants

13. The Bag Company

A luggage and leather goods shop with suitcases, travel bags, duffels, backpacks and briefcases, in leather, nylon and synthetics. It is on the same level as Precious Thoughts, which makes the two easy to combine on one trip.

Open Mon to Sat 9am to 5.30pm; Sun 10.30am to 4.30pm
Address Level 1, The Mercury, Mercury Gardens, RM1 3EE
Website themercurymall.co.uk/shops/the-bag-company
Good for luggage, leather goods, travel bags

The Liberty and The Brewery

The Liberty publishes centre hours of Monday to Friday 8.30am to 7pm, Saturday 8am to 7pm and Sunday 11am to 5pm. At The Brewery, the big gift names keep their own hours: Smyths Toys and Homesense stay open to 9pm on weekdays, Hobbycraft to 8pm, and all three publish Sunday hours. Smyths and Hobbycraft close at 7pm on Saturdays and Homesense at 9pm.

14. Cochani London, The Liberty

A perfume brand selling fragrances, perfume oils and home diffusers, with The Liberty listing it under the line “the gift of fragrance”. Its own site describes luxury perfumes, oud and Arabian fragrances, and sells bundles too.

Open Mon to Sat 9am to 6pm; Sun 11am to 5pm
Address The Liberty, 11 Western Road, RM1 3LD
Website cochani.com
Good for perfume, perfume oils, home diffusers

15. Miss Citi, The Liberty

The Liberty lists this as an independent fashion boutique in Stewards Walk. It gives no price range and links only to the shop’s Instagram page, so check there for current stock before making a special trip.

Open Mon to Sat 9.30am to 6pm; Sun 11am to 5pm
Address Stewards Walk, The Liberty, 11 Western Road, RM1 3LD
Website instagram.com/missciti
Good for independent fashion

16. Dulce, The Brewery

The Brewery says Dulce celebrates the flavours of Romania, with artisan products, fresh baking and selected wines. Dulce’s own site mentions vegetable spreads, cured meats, pickles and locally sourced wines, along with party platters, which makes it a different stop for edible presents or food for Christmas guests.

Open Mon to Sat 9.30am to 7.30pm; Sun 10am to 6pm
Call 01708 764165
Address The Brewery, RM1 1AU
Website dulceonline.com
Good for Romanian food, wine, party platters

17. The Fragrance Boutique, The Brewery

A perfume retailer selling designer fragrances that The Brewery describes as “at affordable prices”, with what it calls a personalised shopping experience. It is one of the few shops in this guide with no Sunday opening, so plan any fragrance run for a weekday or a Saturday.

Open Mon to Sat 10am to 6pm; closed Sun
Call 01708 747 412
Address The Brewery, RM1 1AU
Website thebreweryromford.com/shopping/the-fragrance-boutique
Good for designer fragrances

Hornchurch and Upminster

18. Best Sellers, Hornchurch

Our one entry we could not check at source: we found no website, phone number or street number. A sponsored Havering Daily profile from August 2025 describes a family-run High Street shop known for its window displays, selling gifts, homeware, candles, frames, ornaments and furniture.

That is the newest record we have, so treat the details as unconfirmed until you have seen the shop is open.

Address High Street, Hornchurch
Good for gifts, homeware, candles, ornaments

19. Daisy May’s Florist, Upminster

A florist in Oak Avenue with a Christmas range on its site: a festive jar at £20, a Christmas vase at £40, and Winter Wonderland and White Christmas bouquets from £45. It also advertises flower workshops, with no Christmas dates that we could read.

Ring before travelling, as the site does not say whether the Oak Avenue address takes walk-in customers.

Open Mon to Fri 9am to 5pm; Sat 9am to 3pm; closed Sun
Price festive jar £20; Christmas vase £40; bouquets from £45
Call 07944 868 815
Address Oak Avenue, Upminster, RM14 2LB
Website daisymaysflorist.co.uk
Good for Christmas bouquets, flower workshops

How we chose

We started from what Romford’s shopping centres and the council publish: the directories of The Mercury, The Liberty, The Brewery and Romford Shopping Hall, the council’s market page and each shop’s own site. We favoured independents with gifts to sell, and kept chains out unless they were part of what the town offers. Sponsored profiles are marked where we used them. We found too few checkable shops in Hornchurch, Upminster, Rainham, Harold Hill and Collier Row, and would like to add more.

Run a place that should be here, or spot something that has changed? Email newsdesk@romfordtoday.co.uk. Taken a good photograph of any of these places? Email it to newsdesk@romfordtoday.co.uk and we will add it with your name as the credit.

For the rest of the season see our Christmas dinner guide, what’s on in Romford, things to do in Romford and the local business directory.

Frequently asked questions

Is there late night shopping in Romford in 2026?

The Mercury says late-night shopping is available during the festive period and points to its news section, but it had posted no 2026 dates when we checked on 5 November 2026. We found no late-night dates from The Liberty, The Brewery or Romford Shopping Hall.

Which Romford shops open on Sundays before Christmas?

Romford Shopping Hall publishes Sunday hours of 10am to 4pm, and The Mercury and The Liberty 11am to 5pm, though individual shops can differ. Dulce at The Brewery opens 10am to 6pm. Romford Market does not trade on Sundays, and Havering Museum’s shop is not open on Sundays.

Is Romford Market open every day before Christmas?

Not on anything published so far. The council lists Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays and promises a full Christmas programme, but had announced no extra 2026 days on 5 November. In 2022 the market opened every day from 9 to 24 December.