Over 42 shops and stores in The Mercury Mall in Romford have had their time to shine in this years Retailer Awards. With winners and nominees chosen by a public online vote.
A lively awards ceremony was held on Wednesday 28th September. VIP guests including the Mayor of Havering Trevor McKeever who gave out the ‘Ingenuity Award’ to Storky Baby & Children for their business diversification during times of lockdown during Covid-19.
The evening was filled with excitement and much needed business connection after the awards have been held off for two years. Themed around Game of Thrones, the night unfolded with a three-course meal, a local acoustic ‘Kings of Pop’ set, a medieval animal experience hosted by Exotic Explorers and live fire and contortion performances!
The Mercury Shopping Centre, who run this annual awards event think it is important that both centre staff and retailers alike find time to celebrate their successes together. Natalie Bays, deputy centre manager says, “It is warming to see our centre community being proud of their achievements this year, congratulations and a big well done to everyone who was nominated and came home with an award. A nomination in such a big retail environment is an award in itself”
From big high-street names to smaller individual businesses, everyone had an equal chance to win with a customer centric voting system.
This year there were nine awards, including an award for ‘Community Recognition’ for a store who really think of their wider community. This was won by Wilko who have contributed immensely to charitable events, including providing Easter eggs to the elderly in Spring, gathering animal food for local charity Wanderers Haven and a new initiative to collect hygiene and home products for the local Women’s Aid charity.
The ‘Shining Star’ of the centre was this year won by Chyna, a retail assistant from The Entertainer, who’s continued hard work and bubbly persona has led her to a promotion to a managerial role in their Ilford branch.
Other winners on the night included Bonmarché for their friendly Customer Experience in Store, BB’s Muffins and Coffee for their enthusiasm in separating waste for recycling and Storky’s and McDonalds who took home the Small and Large Retailer of the year awards. Small Business Ella Bella’s was delighted to receive an award for Visual Merchandising.
Spencer Hawken, centre manager says; “The ability to award people for what they have done for the centre is truly inspirational, and all of the winners on the evening are so deserving of accolade.
Each award was sponsored by companies that work closely alongside the centre, including Bellrock, who provide all of the centres planned engineering services, Mall Solutions who work with incubated retailers in the malls and B&M Waste who provide waste brokerage for the centre.
Sponsor media partners included Phoenix FM and Romford Recorder who share The Mercury Mall’s community vision. Natalie Bays, Deputy Centre Manager says “We are incredibly grateful for all the continued support from our sponsors; the best part about the sponsorship programme for us is celebrating the evening together with them. And we did just that.”
Announcements of all finalists and winners will be released on Instagram and Facebook @themercurymall this week.
