The Liberty Blog

It’s the time we have all been waiting for, most of our shops are now open and our staff have been working tirelessly to ensure that your shopping experience is both safe and enjoyable with us.

Have you missed the feel of fabrics whilst looking for your next summer outfit? Or grabbing a takeout coffee and Krispy Kreme doughnut fix to refuel your energy? Here at The Liberty, we love nothing more than a bit of retail therapy which is why we have put together a reminder of some of our super stores and what they have to offer.

During the Coronavirus lockdown, our superstar host, Tiana, 6, from Romford, has been filming and posting kids activity videos on The Liberty’s Facebook page. Her videos include storytelling, baking and arts and crafts, Tiana wants to use her videos to bring her local community together and engage with other children who may be missing their friends.

Spending more time at home with your children and keeping them entertained can be challenging, which is why we at The Liberty have put together some of our favourite Kids Corner activity videos together to inspire you during the Coronavirus lockdown, or simply for a rainy day with little to do.

The most romantic time of the year is just around the corner, so make sure you’re prepared to treat your other half with our handpicked top gifts for Valentines Day. Whether you’re getting ready for an evening out or a cosy night in, our indulgent gift guide is sure to get your loved ones smiling this February.

For the sweet tooth

Pantone announced that Classic Blue has been selected as the colour of the year, so we’ve put together our favourite blue items from the latest season so you can easily style the colour of 2020. Embrace the January blues this New Year by updating your wardrobe and home with this year’s most popular colour.

Christmas is fast approaching, which only means one thing… it’s time to seek out presents for the family! Here at The Liberty we understand there is always one picky family member when it comes to the perfect gift. So, we are here to help you keep everyone happy by showing you the best gifts that will win anyone over this Christmas!

Snuggly Slippers

Christmas party season is almost upon us, so make sure you’re prepared for the festivities with our ultimate guide to Christmas party glamour. ‘Tis the season for bold statements, bright colours and extravagant accessories!

Effortless elegance

October is finally upon us, and that means longer nights, colder weather and Halloween! Whether you’re planning a classic scary look with a full Chucky costume from Pairs or are planning a cosy night in, there’s plenty of ways to get into the Halloween sprit! Get your celebrations off to a spook-tastic start with our fiendishly fantastic Halloween must-haves.

Light up the night

The Liberty’s Office Manager, Daniel Bade is running the Havering Half Marathon for the shopping centre’s chosen charities of the year, Haven House and Cancer Research UK. Both charities do great work in the community, which has inspired Daniel to fundraise for them. Daniel’s training is well under way, so he’s sharing his top tips for long distance running!

The summer holidays are well and truly behind us, but that doesn’t mean your September has to be as gloomy as the weather. Add some sunshine to your home and wardrobe with this season’s most versatile colour, yellow. From soft hues of ochre and mustard to a bright primary colour, bring the sunny shades of summer into September.

The summer holidays are well and truly upon us. As we’re distracted with trying to keep our little ones entertained over six weeks, planning for the next school term can be easily overlooked. Avoid the last-minute panic shopping the weekend before term starts with our guide to the essential back to school list!

Get your caffeine fix

Whether its Leopard, Tiger or Paisley, we are loving the spring summer prints available right now. Unsure if you can pull it off? Rest assured, there will always be a print for you, and it will forever be in style. We’ve trawled through our 100+ stores, pulling out our favourite pieces out there for you to look great, and feel even better, this April.

Turn heads in Turquoise

Mums, Grandmothers, and those who lend a helping hand, we applaud you on Mother’s Day, but despite its importance to many, it’s always a day that creeps up on us. Thankfully however, the Liberty Romford has over 100+ stores to remind you and make sure that whoever you’re celebrating come 31^st March, you pick out the right gift to show her how much she matters to you, take a look…

Remember the Good Times

Happy New Year to all! How are those New Years Resolutions going? Are you still as keen and determined as you were the minute Big Ben struck 12? Or feeling as so you’re already struggling to keep up? Either way, here at The Liberty Romford, we believe a new year is a time for new beginnings and exciting new prospects!

With over 100+ stores, we have everything you need to say goodbye to the old, and hello to the new. Take a look at our top picks to start your 2019 with a bang…

Hubble bubble, toil and trouble! There’s been some ghostly goings on in The Liberty this October and as the witching hour and our Halloween Grotto creep closer, we’re spending our nights hunting for the best Halloween goodies. With over 100+ stores, we’ve picked our favourite tricks, treats and everything in between to prepare you for the spookiest night of the year.

In recent weeks, Britain has been thrown into an excitement of football frenzy and hot heat waves that are enough to get our bikinis out! If you’re in the midst of holiday shopping, The Liberty has it covered to give you some inspiration to look your best on the beach. Whether you’re spending your holiday relaxing by the pool or exploring the sights, we’ve compiled our must-haves for this season with help from over 100 stores in The Liberty.

Summer Stripes

In the summer weather, it’s difficult to find that perfect outfit to keep you cool at your summer event while keeping up to date with the fashion trends. If you missed the Summer Fashion Show Weekend at The Liberty Shopping Centre then don’t panic, as we have taken the top trends from this season’s shows to keep you de-stressed while looking your best.

We Love Colour – We Want More!

TV documentaries, excited Brits and Royal announcements must only mean one thing… you’ve guessed it! The fairy tale wedding of the year is just around the corner and it’s the event that everyone is talking about. If you’re going to a wedding yourself or even planning your own wedding, The Liberty has it covered to give you some inspiration for the big day. We’re on hand to save the stress ahead of the main event with over 100 stores to make you feel royal ready.

Dress to impress

Spring is finally upon us after a seemingly extended chilly period. As nature comes into full bloom and the temperature slowly starts to rise, it’s a time for new beginnings, wardrobe renewals and last minute gym training ahead of Summer. Here at The Liberty, we guarantee we can help you run those all-important errands from clothing to home essentials with a huge selection from our 100+ stores.

Floral Feels

As we embrace the New Year with open arms, it’s time to update and refresh our wardrobes with the latest styles, to ensure we’re staying on trend during 2018.

With a range of the latest fashions, home ware and beauty items, we’ve searched the runways and sourced the hottest high street options to ensure you’re rocking the forecasted trends. So without further ado, make your way to The Liberty, embrace your inner fashionista and pick up these perfect style steals!

They look after us, help us and always do their very best for us. Of course, we can only be talking about our wonderful Mums (or mother figures). It can be hard to truly repay our special women for their efforts, but here at The Liberty we’re helping you say thank you in the best possible way, with hand-selected Mother’s Day gifts from our 100+ stores.

Make Mum glow

Spring is tantalisingly close and as the new season blooms and the world comes to life, it’s time to prepare for Easter. As we plan to spend a long weekend with those closest to us, it’s the perfect opportunity to while away a day or two on an art project, a movie marathon or even as a chance to treat yourself to a relaxing spa experience. So, how will you be spending the Bank Holiday weekend? Well, however you choose to pass the first long weekend of 2018, The Liberty’s 100+ stores have everything you could need for an egg-cellent time!

Chicking It Out 

The biggest day for old romantics is quickly approaching which only means one thing, picking the perfect Valentine’s present for that special someone in your life. Whether it’s a shiny new piece of jewellery or a beautiful bouquet of flowers, our 100+ stores have a variety of gifts to say “I Love You” come February 14^th.

They Love Me, They Love Me Not

At The Liberty we know that it can be a challenge transitioning to your autumn/winter wardrobe, so we have some top tips to keep you on trend this season.

Autumn/winter fashion isn’t just about piling on the layers and sacrificing style in favour of warmth. So to help you ease your way into the cold mornings and dark evenings of the winter months, we’ve found some key pieces that will add a spring to your step despite the drop in temperature.

Here at The Liberty we are no strangers to that gut-sinking feeling you get when you’ve realised at 11:30pm on Christmas Eve that you’ve forgotten something super important. So this year, we’ve decided to stop Christmas panic in its path and compile a list of seasonal essentials that you might forget about.

With the seasons changing and only a few weeks until Christmas Day, it’s time to get into the festive spirit and purchase those all-important Christmas presents for your family, friends and colleagues. Here at The Liberty we understand that it is often hard finding the perfect present whilst sticking to a budget, but present buying doesn’t have to be stressful.

Our little elves have compiled the best gift picks for under £5, £20 and £50 for your Christmas shopping trip, to ensure your loved ones will have smiles on their faces come December 25^th, without you needing to break the bank.

October is here and with it the spookiest season of the year – Halloween. With the witching hour fast approaching, many ghostly disturbances have been recorded at The Liberty letting us know that it’s time to leap into the celebrations.

So, what will you find at our 100+ stores this Halloween? We have everything you need to help you create a frightfully good party; just make sure to stick to the path, we wouldn’t want to lose you to any monsters that may be lurking in the centre!

The summer holidays are drawing to a close and at The Liberty we know what that means – it’s nearly time to head back to school for a brand new term.

With a fresh school year ahead, new uniform to buy and a pencil case to fill, the list can seem endless. So, let our 100+ stores help make heading back to school as easy as A, B, C.

Swimwear season is finally here and at The Liberty we’re as excited as anyone to jet off somewhere exotic to soak up the sun. But before the bliss of your getaway, the stress of packing and finding the perfect poolside outfit can be overwhelming. Thankfully our 100+ stores can help you nail that beach babe look.

We know that finding the perfect poolside companion can be daunting (unless we’re talking about a piña colada!) as there is just so much choice to suit your individual shape and style.

Summer is finally here and we’re helping you get holiday ready from head to toe!

With picnics, BBQs, festivals and trips to the beach coming up, we know it can be difficult to be bare-leg ready all the time. Not to mention the unreliable British weather we have to contend with. How do you glide effortlessly from a summer downpour to 30°c heat? Or look glamorous on day three of a festival? Summer brings with it a whole new level of worry when putting an outfit together.

Another weekend crammed full of style, fashion and beauty The Liberty’s Fashion Show Weekend has come to a close, but worry not. To celebrate Charnelle winning your vote for the best summer look in our recent Blogger Challenge, we’re delving deeper into the outfits each blogger chose so you can rock their trends. Well, with more than 100 stores in The Liberty, it’s never been easier to bag your ideal summer wardrobe under one roof.

Three Essex-based bloggers; Charnelle, Georgia Ruby and Kristy took part in our Blogger challenge and were all given £100 to spend in The Liberty on creating their ultimate summer look, here’s a round up of the three unique looks.

Essex based blogger Kristy Barber is one of three bloggers who were invited to take part in The Liberty’s Blogger Challenge. Her task was simple; find a whole new summer look for £100 from our 100+ stores. This is how she got on…

What is your ultimate summer piece? Is it a flowing floral skirt or a striped off-the-shoulder top? The reason I ask is because a few weeks ago I got asked what my ultimate summer outfit would contain. After many days of thought, it suddenly came to me.

Essex based blogger Georgia Ruby is one of three fashion fans who were invited to take part in The Liberty’s Blogger Challenge. Her goal was simple; find a whole new summer look for £100 from our 100+ stylish stores. Let’s see how she got on…

It’s the time of year when the sun is starting to shine and the British summer begins to make an appearance and when the sun comes out so too does the summer wardrobe.

Essex based blogger; Charnelle Geraldine is one of three bloggers who were invited to take part in The Liberty’s Blogger Challenge. Her goal was simple; find a whole new summer look for £100 from our 100+ stores (easier said than done when there are so many stores to choose from!) let’s see how she got on…

So I spent the day shopping at The Liberty and it was super fun. I took my little sister, aka blog photographer, with me and we had a great time hunting through some of my favourite high street shops for the perfect summer outfit.

The much-anticipated summer evenings are finally here at The Liberty and we are looking forward to long summer evenings catching the last of the sun’s rays in the garden (providing the great British summer is kind…here’s hoping!).

An al-fresco party is the perfect way to while away a sunny afternoon with your nearest and dearest and thanks to the fantastic stores here at The Liberty, you can find everything you need for a Instagram-worthy garden party.

We’re shaking off the shadows of winter and leaping straight into the joys of spring here at The Liberty with a celebratory spring spruce-up!

Our 100+ stores have all the essentials for an effective spring clean, while we have some handy hints and tips to make your chores, well…less of a chore.

With the evenings becoming lighter and the frosty mornings becoming warmer, it’s clear spring is on the way, especially as save the dates for summer weddings start to flood in. Here at The Liberty Shopping Centre we are so ready to start preparing for bridal season!

As a wedding guest, there are so many outfit options out there that putting together the perfect look can be difficult – do you opt for traditional? Floral? High heels? (We know they can be a killer after a long day of dancing).

It’s that time of year again, when you bring out the woolly jumpers, beanie hats and of course, think about purchasing that very important wardrobe staple – the winter coat.

With so many styles, shapes and colours to choose from, picking a flawless coat can be stressful. Here at The Liberty we have everything from pretty puffers to tailored trench coats to ensure you are looking stylish and feeling cosy throughout winter.

January, the month when cold weather, dark mornings and failing in our new year’s resolutions collide to create those notorious ‘January Blues’. But fear not, The Liberty is here to lift your spirits and boost motivation with our top tips for a happy and healthy start to 2017.

Looking to get organised in 2017? This Filofax Pocket Organiser (£15) from Ryman could help. With its magnetic closure and brilliant blue colour, this diary is ideal for your handbag and will help to make sure you don’t miss a date!

Here at The Liberty we have everything from dazzling dresses to flawless accessories to ensure you are hitting the festive period in style. Now, let the experts at Paul Falltrick Hairdressing add the finishing touch to your look – the perfect party hair!

Christmas is fast approaching, which means the next festive party is just around the corner! A chance to doll yourself up and let your hair down, (metaphorically speaking of course!) a killer hairstyle is essential to nail that finished look! But what style do you go for?

It’s that time of year when your wardrobe needs a touch of glitz and glamour, ready for the busy party period ahead.

Whether you’re heading out to a work Christmas party, or just hitting the town with friends, here at The Liberty we have everything from velvet dresses to jazzy jackets to ensure you sparkle throughout the festive season.

Autumn has arrived and here at The Liberty we’re thinking about preparing our homes for the chillier months ahead. When it comes to getting cosy, what better room in the home to start with than the bedroom?

The Liberty has everything you need to create a space that’s tranquil, calm and cosy. From bedding to accessories, we can help you make sure your boudoir is a warm, blissful haven for when the cold nights set in.

Spooky season is back and here at The Liberty we’re planning our frightful festivities. Are you preparing a Halloween party that’s frightening and fun? Whether you need accessories to enhance your costume or sweets for trick-or-treaters, The Liberty has it covered. Why not try these wickedly good Halloween ideas?

Fang-Tastic Costumes

With Halloween around the corner, here at The Liberty we are getting prepared for fright night, when all things ghoulish, grisly & downright terrifying take over, so when it comes to getting our Halloween look on point, who better to turn to for a haunting Halloween hairstyle than Paul Falltrick Hair & Beauty in The Liberty?

Check out their team’s tips below…

Summer festival season is in full swing and whether you’re heading to an event locally, such as V Festival at Hylands Park in Chelmsford on 20^th and 21^st August, or further afield, such as Creamfields in Cheshire (25^th – 28^th August) or Bestival on the Isle of Wight (8^th – 11^th September), it’s easy to forget those last minute festival essentials in all the excitement.

You may have your tickets, tents, wellies and a fabulous capsule wardrobe ready to go, but make sure you refer to The Liberty’s definitive ‘last minute must-haves’ checklist before you hit the road!

With our annual Fashion Design Competition Catwalk Show taking place on Friday 27^th May, The Liberty catches up with last year’s Fashion Design Competition winner, Alice Oluyitan, and gets her top tips for aspiring fashion designers. Now one of this year’s judges, Alice shares knowledge and experience that will ensure fashion hopefuls step into the fashion industry in style.

Alice, 27, from Edmonton in North London says:

Spring, the season of refreshment, new beginnings and of course that renowned annual spruce up of your home. If you’re keen to find new ways to keep your home looking spick and span and clutter free then look no further!

Here at The Liberty in Romford we’ve explored the world of home organisation and cleaning to bring you a guide to the most innovative products available in centre, to ensure you’re making the most of your space and to help you refresh your home for the new season.

Name: Ashling Smith

Age: 34

Name: Felicia Folasade Akintan

Age: 45

Name: Mia-Louise Lambert

Age: 19

Name: Fotini Vergini

Age: 38

Name: Petronella Mahachi

Age: 34

Name: Olga Kokoeva

Age: 24

Name: Chloe Clay

Age: 17

Name: Simi Bakre

Age: 34

Name: Tara Dickson

From: Newtownards, Northern Ireland

Name: Alexander Scott-Wilds

Age: 21

Name: Teresa Alade

Age: 14

Name: Franziska Wagner

Age: 25

Name: Maryam Daoudi

Age: 17

Name: Ericka Santiago

Age: 19

Name: Mahfuz Sheikh

Age: 20

Name: Kiran Ramlagan

Age: 39

Name: Hannah Jones

Age: 24

Name: Nicola Sproat

Age: 30

Name: Lili Sipeki

Age: 17

Name: Jackie Walrond

Age: 51

Name: Alanah Drummond

Age: 17

If you have a mother like no other don’t forget to treat her on her special day – Mother’s Day – which falls on 6^th March this year.

Whether you’re spoiling her rotten with a really indulgent gift or looking for something small that says a lot, The Liberty Shopping Centre has a whole range of gift ideas from more than 100 stores, to suit all budgets and be guaranteed to make her day.

THE date night of the year is fast approaching and that can only mean one thing: it’s time to get your V-Day look locked down!

Here at The Liberty we’ve got you covered with the perfect pieces for the most romantic day of the year, whether you’re single and planning a chilled day with friends or your loved one is whisking you off somewhere special.

It’s 2016 and time to start the year off right by embracing small, manageable changes to your lifestyle, with a little help from The Liberty in Romford and our 100+ fantastic shops.

Take a look at some of our top picks and useful tips to help support you in achieving your goals and resolutions. We’ve got everything you need to stay focused, organised and most importantly healthy…here’s to your best year yet!

Winter coats are the staple in any winter wardrobe, and this season we’ve been overwhelmed by choice. From fab faux fur to modern checks, The Liberty Shopping Centre has all the trends for you to ‘fall’ in love with…and with the temperature set to drop in the coming few weeks, there’s never been a better excuse to update your coat collection!

You’ve dressed the tree and Christmas day is fast approaching, so now is the time to add those final festive touches to your home. Take some inspiration from stores at The Liberty in Romford. We’ve got everything from new tree decorations to add to your collection to seasonal bedding to ensure your house is the perfect place for Christmas guests!

This lit glitter house from Next (£8) would make a glamorous, glowing addition to your mantelpiece. Perfect for tea lights, it will light up the room and its simple white exterior gives the decoration a modern twist.

The countdown to Christmas has officially begun – are you prepared? Don’t worry if not, because here at The Liberty there’s still plenty of time to get it all done and we’re making it as easy as possible with our extended opening hours and top tips from Essex based fashion & lifestyle blogger, Georgina Goodman of www.georginadoes.co.uk, who gives you her top 5 tips on surviving the festive shopping season.

Click here for our Christmas opening hours.

This Bonfire Night (Friday 5^th November) and the days following it there are plenty of displays across the county to keep the family entertained, a few of which we have picked out below (of course there are even more listed online at The Essex Chronicle).

Once you have decided which of the fantastic displays you’ll be attending, it’s time to answer the next big question – what to wear? Fortunately The Liberty Shopping Centre is on hand to help!

Horrified at the idea of half term AND throwing a Halloween bash for your little terrors? Don’t be afraid – from gruesome grub and creepy costumes, to devilish decorations and attention-grabbing activities, The Liberty Shopping Centre, boasting more than 100 of your favourite shops, has you covered.

During the half term break (Monday 26^th – 30^th October, 10am – 4pm) there will be fun for all the family, with Halloween arts & crafts, a trick or treat treasure hunt, spooky face painting and wizard storytelling.

Autumn has arrived, so it’s time to wrap up warm and roll down those sleeves!

The humble shirt is a great way to add layers and interest to a smart or relaxed outfit and with so many colours, fabrics, patterns, styles and cuts to choose from at The Liberty, you can have a lot of fun mixing and matching this season.

9 to 5 dressing has come a long way. Stuffy suits have given way to ankle-grazing trousers, crisp white shirts, smart patent flats, sleeveless jackets and leather totes, which are now pretty and polished rather than basic and functional.

This Autumn look the business with the very best Workwear picks from The Liberty… so chic you’ll want to wear them from desk ‘til dawn.

We’re sure you’ve spent the summer holidays encouraging the kids to get out and about and keep active – well this doesn’t have to stop when they return to school.

There are plenty of activities that you can get involved in together, whether it’s at home or outdoors. Make sure you make the most of your weekends and the last of the lighter evenings to get your daily dose of exercise in!

Sportswear isn’t just for the gym anymore; it’s time to give your lounging style a lift with the Sports Luxe trend.

Think quilting, metallics, soft jersey separates like maxi skirts and Harem trousers and a neutral palette of grey, nude and navy with splashes of varsity jacket burgundy and racing stripe brights.

Make a splash this summer by taking a dip into our pool of the season’s coolest swimwear at The Liberty.

From statement bikinis, swimsuits and separates that flatter all shapes, to kaftans, cover-ups and accessories to complete the look, you’ll find everything you need to get holiday ready at our 100+ stores.

Take a trip East this Summer and embrace the hottest new trend with a little help from The Liberty.

Team cherry-blossom florals, decadent silks and maxi dresses with obi belts, tasselled accessories and platform sandals for full on Orient glamour or, for an understated look, invest in a kimono jacket, which will look stylish dressed down with denim or up with your favourite LBD!

There’s a whole host of big summer sporting events this month, so whether you’ll be watching from home or are planning on attending, here’s our round-up of key pieces to keep the gents winning and looking cool in the heat.

This year marks 150 years since Lewis Carol’s magical Alice in Wonderland was published, but did you know that Alice was a style setter?

The Victoria & Albert Museum in London has dedicated a whole exhibition, The Alice Look (2^nd May – 1^st November), to show how our heroine has inspired many of the world’s most talented designers, stylists and photographers.

Looking for the perfect Father’s Day gift for the special man in your life?

With over 100 shops at The Liberty, we’re bursting with ideas so you need look no further!

Wedding season has arrived so we’ve combined a few fail-safe tips and style suggestions to take the stress out of selecting an outfit for the big day…

…the only thing you’ll need to worry about now is upstaging the bride!

Royal baby fever is ramping up as we wait with baited breath for the imminent arrival of the newest member of the Royal family.

But as we all know, finding the perfect gift for the mother-to-be and the cherished little Prince or Princess who has everything can be a right royal pain!

Name: Mahfuj Sheikh

Age: 19

Name: Viola Poni Kunya Kale

Age: 22

Name: Tegan Ellis-McNabb

Age: 21

Name: Sophie Engstrom

Age: 17

Name: Sameen Hussain-Zaman

Age: 32

Name: Samantha Newell 

Age: 24

Name: Philomena Sarpong

Age: 29

Name: Okechukwu Atuanya

Age: 14

Name: Millie Grace Court

Age: 18

Name: Melissa Lamacraft

Age: 18

Name: Megan Webb

Age: 15

Name: Mateo Velasquez Largo

Age: 21

Name: Kimberly Irvine

Age: 20

Name: Jiya Davé

Age: 27

Name: Danielle Osammor

Age: 22

Name: Casey Kelly

Age: 18

Name: Ashley Shepherd

Age: 25

Name: Alvan Tan

Age: 28

Name: Alexandra Heath

Age: 21

Name: Alice Oluyitan

Age: 26

Spring is synonymous with fresh starts, so once you’re done spring cleaning the home, why not make a start on your wardrobe? If you’re dying to update your style with the season’s latest trends and are fast running out of room, make the most of the space you do have by condensing and consolidating.

After dividing and conquering your haul, invest in organisation with a little help from The Liberty in Romford.

Say hello to Spring/Summer 2015’s prettiest new trend: Gingham.

This romantic, warm-weather loving print comes in an array of wearable brights and pastel shades so make sure you ‘check’ out what stores at The Liberty have to offer!

Spring has officially sprung and with Easter just round the corner, The Liberty is bursting with cracking Easter treats for the whole family.

We’ve compiled a selection of our favorite gift ideas, from traditional seasonal flowers to a number of egg alternatives to suit all budgets.

Roses are red, violets are blue, we’ve selected our favourite Valentine’s gift ideas especially for YOU. Here at The Liberty Shopping Centre we’re all beginning to feel the romance so, if you’re looking for ways to say “I Love You” or even “I Like You” then you’ve come to the right place.

Treat the feet of the man you love to these ‘You’re Alright You Are’ socks from River Island (£3). He’s sure to love their tongue-in-cheek design!