A BIG name brand is set to open a second shop in Colchester in what has been described as a “welcome addition” to the town.

B&M Bargains is planning to open a new home store and garden centre at the Turner Rise Retail Park.

It will go into the unit formerly used by Go Outdoors.

The firm already has a shop in Tollgate Retail Park which opened back in 2013, so the new shop will be its second in the town.

The new B&M store in Turner Rise is set to open on March 26.

Ahead of the opening B&M has applied to Colchester Council to sell alcohol off the premises from Monday to Sundays from 7am to 11pm.

People have until March 4 to comment on the plans.

It was first mooted the brand could move to Turner Rise nine years ago but plans never materialised.

The site already boasts brands such as Costa, Dunelm, Iceland, Pizza Hut, Poundland and Home Bargains.

A spokesman for B&M said: “We’re feeling extremely positive about the creation of more jobs for local people during these difficult times and we hope customers are going to be delighted with their new store.

"We are all really excited to get the doors open and welcome our new customers through the door.”

Colchester councillor Martin Goss, whose ward covers the retail park, welcomed the news.

He said: “They are opening a home store and garden centre as this unit is big enough to be used and has outdoor area.

“It is good to see it and it will be a welcome addition to this part of Colchester.

“It will be a bit of competition for Home Bargains and Poundland which are both successful.”

McDonalds is also set to open a drive-thru restaurant at the site.

The brand was given permission for the new fast food restaurant – the fifth in Colchester – back in June last year.

The new fast-food restaurant would be built between the new B&M store and Pizza Hut at the retail park.

A total of 231 objections were received to the proposals.

Residents raised concerns about the increase in traffic it would cause around North Station, already a congestion hotspots, anti-social behaviour and increased pollution.

Many residents also said a fifth McDonalds in the town would have an adverse impact on public health.

Mr Goss said it was expected McDonalds would open before the end of the year.