“From Eyesore to Icon- Romford’s Debenhams Could Soon Have a Rooftop Bar As Development Plans Submitted.

Is Romford Ready for a Rooftop Bar? Debenhams Site Plans Spark Fresh Debate-We asked residents their points of view-here’s what you said:

Plans to transform the former Debenhams building into a vibrant mix of flats, retail space and a rooftop bar are raising an exciting question: could this long-criticised eyesore finally become one of Romford’s most talked-about destinations?

For years, the former Debenhams store in Market Place has stood as a symbol of decline in Romford town centre. Once a bustling retail anchor, the vast empty building has since become a regular subject of frustration among residents, with many describing the site as an “eyesore” that drags down the look and feel of the area.

Now, new planning proposals submitted to Havering Council could dramatically change that.

Developers Yaelwood Ltd, working with Claridge Architects, have put forward plans to demolish the existing structure and replace it with a major redevelopment featuring residential blocks, new retail units, a hotel, and perhaps most eye-catchingly is a rooftop bar overlooking Romford.

According to the plans, the development would include three buildings, with the first block fronting Market Place and housing a 118-room hotel. Sitting above it would be a rooftop bar, offering views across the town and a completely new leisure experience for the area.

For many residents, the proposal feels like a long-awaited step forward.

“People have complained for years about how ugly and lifeless that building looks,” said Mandy, a local shopper. “It’s been an eyesore in the heart of Romford. If this brings life back into the town centre, then it has to be a good thing.”

Alongside the hotel and rooftop venue, the plans also include new shops, cafés, a gym and other commercial spaces at ground level, as well as 155 new flats across two residential blocks. A public plaza, shared gardens and a community building are also part of the vision, aimed at improving footfall and creating a more welcoming town centre.

The developers say the project will enhance the quality of retail and commercial uses in the area and improve access and movement around Swan Walk and Market Place.

“This could finally turn one of Romford’s most criticised sites into a place people actually want to visit,” said Jamie. “A rooftop bar might sound a bit much for us, but why shouldn’t Romford aim higher?”

Of course, not everyone is convinced. Questions remain about building heights, congestion, and whether a rooftop bar fits with the character of the town. But during consultation in October 2025, developers reported that around 90 per cent of responses were in support of the scheme — a strong indication that many locals are ready for change.

With Romford continuing its push for regeneration, the former Debenhams site may soon become a symbol not of decline, but of renewal.

Could this once-derelict building finally become a destination rather than an eyesore and is Romford ready to look at its town centre from the top?

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