Staff and customers bid a sad farewell to the BHS department store as it closed its doors at the weekend.

Romford Recorder: Members of staff at BHS in Romford set up this display window saying goodbye to their customers.Members of staff at BHS in Romford set up this display window saying goodbye to their customers. (Image: @AMYGREEN2005)

The closing down sale led to a few shed tears on Sunday as the shop which has been open at The Liberty for about 40 years was forced to shut for good.

Tracy Crowther, who has been a BHS store manager for the past 10 years and worked at the Romford branch for six months, says she will deeply miss her fantastic team.

She said: “I feel really sad.

“We have tried to remain positive everyday and celebrate the great times we have spent here and the friends that we have made.

“I have worked at different BHS stores over the years but this particular one has been very special in my career.

“Romford has been the jewel in the crown for me, because of the fantastic team here and their had work and dedication.”

To mark the sad day, a farewell window display was created, featuring a mannequin bride representing a member of staff who has worked there for 20 years and just got married and Christmas trees as the store will not be open this festive season.

A poem was also written for Romford shoppers.

But some are looking towards the future as Aaron Cardwell, 23, of Gidea Park, has set up a Facebook page and a petition calling for the empty shop space to be taken over by a branch of the department store John Lewis.

He said: “I feel as though a store like John Lewis would make full use of the unit available to them, whilst providing long term job security for local people as well as an increased volume of shoppers into The Liberty shopping centre and the area as a whole.”

Despite a spokesman for the company confirming that there are no plans to open in Romford, Aaron remains hopeful.

He said: “Romford is a fantastic place to live, work and shop.

“The town is currently undergoing regeneration work, and with Crossrail soon to be delivered to the area, now is a fantastic time to invest in our town.”

Visit the Turn BHS Romford into a John Lewis Facebook page or sign the petition at http://chn.ge/2blkHq3