Frustrated the local population says that their city has been 'swallowed' by new regeneration plans, because the 'last right pub' will be demolished and the area around it is now a ghost city.
Residents in Harold Hill, Romford, have said that blue boards around former flats and stepped shops have taken over the city.
The last remaining beacon for the community is the Pub of Alderman.
The alderman, who has a group of regular 'old boys', can be 'bulldozed' because requests have been made to bring the pub as part of plans to regenerate Harold Hill.
Gill Pearce, 67, who has worked in the pub for 28 years, said MailOnline: 'It's worse. I have seen so many changes and they are not better. There is no more community, it is all gone now that it is really sad.
'I'm worried. This little pub is a small hub, you get a lot of old boys who would probably not see people and it is not just drinking his family.
'Many of the people who talk about the pub say that it is not best decorated, but it is the people who make it the pub, everyone takes care of each other.
“I hope the community stays together.”
Frustrated the locals says that their city has been 'swallowed' by new regeneration plans, various buildings in the area are closed
91 crimes were reported in the area in November 2024, of which 27 were violence and sexual offenses
The Pompadours, a pub in Harold Hill who has been expired for years. It has been destroyed since then
Data published by the Metropolitan Police shows that Harold Wood has a high crime compared to surrounding areas
Residents in Harold Hill, Romford, have said that blue boards around former flats and stepped shops have taken over the city
Mike Crowhurst, 53, said: 'I lived here for 25 years. I think it's terrible that they will take it down. I come down a lot here and if this goes, we are sewn. '
In 2018, Havering Council and Wates Group launched the regeneration program of 12 locations, which will regenerate 12 housing locations in the town.
The plan is to deliver 3,500 new houses and to double the number of affordable houses on the sites.
The redevelopment takes place in phases and Harold Hill Town Center will be completed in the spring of 2033 and deliver an estimated 478 houses – they are currently waiting for the building permit.
In the meantime, the residents who have not moved have been left behind to live in a ghost city.
Tony Brennan, 41, said MailOnline: 'It is swallowed, it's ready, you just continue. They are ready those stores in the front.
'It has been the case for years, it has never had a great name. But we can all continue.
'But the good thing is that you know everyone, every corner you know it is good. Of course you get the strange problems, but that is everywhere. '
Tony Brennan, 41, said the cities have been 'swallowed', but everyone can endure as well as possible
James Pollock, 35, said that people have lived in the area for generations and that the derelict buildings are probably unsafe
Most shops in the Hoofdstraat are closed and will be demolished in redevelopment plans
James Pollock, 35, added: 'That building has probably been left for so long now that it is probably not safe and consider how it is now that is what is the point?
“Many of the people who live here are people who have been living here for generations.”
Data published by the Metropolitan Police shows that the Harold Wood area has a high crime compared to surrounding areas.
91 crimes were reported in November 2024, of which 27 were violence and sexual offenses.
Part of the redevelopment plans includes 'the design of crime', but residents say that the area has become increasingly dangerous.
The Pompadours, a dilapidated pub in Harold Hill covered with graffiti, the demolition of the pub has been approved
In 2018, Havering Council and Wates Group launched the 12 sites Regeneration Program, which will regenerate 12 housing locations in the municipality
A spokesperson for Havering Council said: 'The recent mood in the Farnham, Hilldene and Chippenham Road Housing Estates estate registered 96.3 percent of the rise of 49.8 percent for our vision for regeneration, and is an important demonstration of the Community of the community in confidence in trust in the community in our vision and their desire for a better living environment.
'It contains three phases – the new Family Welcome Center, Chippenham Road and Farnham and Hilldene Estate.
“Until the demolition works, we will continue to make interim improvements to make life and visit the area as hospitable as possible.”
Sections of the center of Harold Hill are set together and empty.
Linda Lubin, 77, said MailOnline: 'I have been here 41 years old. It was very nice, it has changed. People were friendlier. It felt safer. I wouldn't get in the dark now. '
Her son, Darren Lubin, 56, added: 'It's good if you keep yourself for yourself. Because of London, more knife crime has come here. '
The city misses young residents and Unus Souner, 20, who works in the local 'CAF', said most of his elderly customers died during the COVID-19 Pandemie and since then he has had fewer customers.
The alderman, who has a group of regular 'old boys', can become 'bulldozed' because requests have been made to bring the pub
Linda Lubin, 77, said MailOnline that she does not feel safe to walk through the area in the dark
Darren Lubin, 56, blamed the rising crime percentage in the area of 'London Knife Crime' who made his way to Romford
Darren Wise, an oats councilor, welcomes the redevelopment.
He said to MailOnline: 'I think that once it is done, it will be pretty good, there will probably be many new homes, new stores that I would take and I think it looks much better.
'The estate has really lost weight, I think over the years and it needs a bit of a makeover.
'I used to live near the shopping center where it will be redeveloped, I was 18 years old and I saw that it has decreased and deteriorated over the years and hopefully the development will improve.
'There is a good community, there are many people who work together and there is a general consensus of the community that I would daily. In general it has a fairly strong community Harold Hill. '
Residents who have not been moved have been left to live in a ghost city
The regeneration plan will deliver 3,500 new houses and double the number of affordable houses
Unus Souner, 20, who works in the local 'CAF', said most of his older customers died during the COVID-19 Pandemie
Another community shub is the parish church of Saint George, where people can eat every Monday and Tuesday, tea or coffee.
Assistant Kerkwachters, Susan Dewurst, 65, said MailOnline: 'I may have lived here for about 40 years. Since I am here, people have had a light posted and placed it along the road. It used to be really scary to go to the stores, but it's not that bad now.
'In general it is a nice community, I know that many people and many people know me and since I came to this church, I have always come here since I moved in the area I did, mother and toddler group, Pre-school and A Girls Club.
“It's getting too much, everything from things.”
Assistant Church Guards of Saint George's Parish Church, Susan Dewurst, 65, tea and cookies are available in church every Monday and Tuesday
Harleen Kaur, 43, owner of Cilios Beauty, is enthusiastic about the redevelopment and thinks it's time for change
The 'last right pub' will be demolished and the area around it is now a ghost city
Some of the redevelopment plans include 'the design of crime', residents say that the area has become increasingly dangerous
But some residents welcome the changes, including Harleen Kaur, 43, owner of Cilios Beauty, a salon in the city center.
She said to MailOnline: 'They demolished the entire area and build it all. When I signed the lease, they told me and asked if I still wanted to sign.
'The developers come to the library and update us every few months. They are going to take one block, build it up and bring the companies over it. So they are going to plan one for one.
“I think we need that change, because change is happening everywhere and it will offer more value for the place and at the moment it all leans out of the flats.”
