COLCHESTER’S MP says he cannot support a huge out-oftown shopping centre as it would “undermine” the town centre.

Will Quince had been trying to get town centre businesses and developers looking to build at Tollgate to meet and discuss the plans.

Anumber of town centre businesses have spoken out against the Tollgate Partnership’s plans to create a shopping and leisure village on the outskirts of Colchester.

Mr Quince said a solution had not been found.

“I have tried to get both parties to speak, but while this existing planning application is live that is going to be very, very difficult to achieve,” he said.

“If we can’t achieve this, I can’t support the current application for Tollgate, as in my view it is too big and would undermine the town centre.

Gazette: Will Quince, who has been selected by the Conservatives to fight for the Colchester seat at the next General Election

“Having said that, I do believe we will see retail development out in Stanway, and I know many residents would welcome it.

“There is a place for these outof- town developments to exist alongside our town centre, and we need to focus on how we can get them working together.

“I am not against development at Tollgate – it is about getting the balance right with the town centre.”

Mr Quince said he will continue to try to get the two parties to speak after the application has been determined.

He has also called for a move away from the nine-to-five shopping experience and for more night events in the town centre.

Mr Quince has backed the Government’s plans to relax Sunday trading laws.

“It is about giving the customer the choice and the retailers the choice to open,” he said.

“Why don’t we have summer shopping until 8.30pm?

“We have it at Christmas, so why don’t we have it in summer and give people this reason to spend money.

“We have got all the raw ingredients.

Unlike a lot of places we have got a castle, Roman heritage, fantastic hotels and restaurants and a £20million art gallery.”

Jayne Gee and Daniel Watts, Tollgate Partnership directors, said in a joint statement: “It is very disappointing to hear via the press that MP Will Quince has been unable to broker a meeting with representatives of the town centre.

Gazette:

“We repeatedly said we were keen to meet with the town centre traders to reassure them about our plans for Tollgate Village. Despite issuing several invitations, we have had no response.

“We were hoping that face-toface talks would reassure everyone involved that Tollgate Partnership is not trying to compete with Colchester town centre. As a local family business, we have no intention of taking retailers from the town centre.

“Tollgate Village will also benefit Colchester’s economy by an estimated £16.9million and creating 1,000 jobs.”

Last month, town centre retailers relaunched a campaign to fight the plans. It is being led by the Colchester Retail Business Association who say the development would destroy the town centre’s trade.

The plans for Tollgate include a cinema, shops, restaurants and a car park on 20 acres of land – including the former Sainsbury’s site.

It is due to go before Colchester Council’s planning committee later this year.