When it opened in 1968, the shopping mall was just one part of Romford’s massive change, which included the completion of the ring road and the original Gallows Corner flyover a few years later.

Market Place in 1968, with the erection of the new Littlewoods store as part of The Liberty visible in the center (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies).

Many pubs and shops in the town centre were demolished during this time, according to Havering Libraries, but new names appeared as a result of The Liberty, including the new Littlewoods store.

Romford’s shopping options were expanded even more when The Liberty 2 Shopping Centre, now known as The Mercury, opened in June 1990.In December 1982, the Liberty shopping center was still open-air (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies).

According to Havering Libraries, construction on Liberty 2 began in the late 1980s as a response to the new Lakeside Shopping Center.

Its upper story once housed Pulse nightclub, which closed in 1999, and Lumiere Cinema was once an Odeon.

The majority of the old Liberty was open-air for much of its early life before being totally covered in 2003 as part of a major makeover.

Aerial image of the Liberty 2 site, ready for development in 1989 (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies).

In addition to a glazed roof covering the central portion of The Liberty, this £52 million renovation included the construction of a new car park, the remodelling and relocation of stores, and the creation of additional huge units for brands such as H&M and Next.

The Financial Times and the Independent reported in September 2006 that Irish property developers Cosgrave Property Group purchased the centre from Hammerson for £281 million.

Liberty 2 in c.1994 (Image: Havering Libraries-Local Studies)

Redical Ltd then purchased the complex in 2022 and has since renovated many entrances as part of a £7 million redevelopment project.

The owner has now proposed further redevelopment of the site, including up to 800 residences and extra retail and dining space.