Romford

Coordinates: 51°34′36″N 0°10′48″E / 51.5768°N 0.1801°E / 51.5768; 0.1801

Romford is a large town in north east London, United Kingdom, and the administrative centre of the London Borough of Havering. It is located 14.1 miles (22.7 km) northeast of Charing Cross and is one of the major metropolitan centres identified in the London Plan. It was historically a market town in the county of Essex and formed the administrative centre of the liberty of Havering, until it was dissolved in 1892. Good road links and the opening of the railway station in 1839 were key to the development of the town and the economic history of Romford is underpinned by a shift from agriculture to light industry and more recently to retail and commerce. As part of the suburban growth of London in the 20th century, Romford significantly expanded and increased in population,becoming a municipal borough in 1937 and has formed part of Greater London since 1965. It now forms one of the largest commercial, retail, entertainment and leisure districts outside central London and has a developed night time economy.

Romford Market

Romford Market is a large open market with 270 stalls, located in Romford, London Borough of Havering, Greater London, England. The market is open on Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays from 8.30 am to 4.30 pm (5 pm on Saturdays).

History

The market originated as a sheep market in 1247. Under the Royal Charter of the Liberty of Havering, granted by King Henry III no other market is permitted to set up within a day's sheep drive (six and two-thirds miles) of Romford. The market is the subject of a 1726 legal case called Keech v. Sandford. This is one of the foundational cases of English trust law, on the fiduciary duty of loyalty. The market was also used to film parts of The Prodigy's music video for the track "Voodoo People" remixed by Pendulum, and also a film starring Chris Kamara.

Transport

The market is a hub on the London Bus network with services to Canning Town, Leytonstone, Stratford, Rainham, Dagenham, Barkingside, Cranham, Barking, Ilford and Central London.

Future

As of 2007, Havering London Borough Council have plans to redevelop the market, change the layout and offer a more diverse range of goods.