Gazette readers have their say on future of Colchester town centre

Clothing chain Next became one of the latest big name brands to call time on their Colchester residency last month, when they closed their High Street store.

Last week Marks and Spencer also announced their town centre store would close in favour of a bigger shop at Stane Park in Stanway.

When the Gazette asked retail giant H&M if they would be staying amid plans to cut 240 shops across the globe, they would not elaborate on plans.

However Tesco has shown commitment to the town centre with its plans for an Express shop being approved earlier this year.

We have asked readers what they want to see in the High Street, and they responded in their hundreds.

Some readers suggested the town needed a unique selling point for retail like other towns elsewhere in the UK.

Marianne Taylor said: "Why not make Colchester a specialist centre for lots of antique shops, book shops, you decide but the list could be endless, think of St Ives in Cornwall known for its artists."

Delia Brooks added: "Shops? Bus stops in the right places. A regular clean. Visible police patrols. Pavements that don’t trip you up. A butcher a baker. A greengrocer. A fishmonger. Etc etc somewhere free to park."

Others called for the town to capitalise on its history to help drive traffic.

Joyce Stewart said: "Colchester needs to be properly advertised as a Roman town and the historic sites marketed! It should be like York so check out what they do to attack customers!"

Martin Jones said: "You can’t reinstate the thousand + years of history that should be the focal point of the town. It should be a world heritage site given all the history of the place."

Rick Armstrong added: "Colchester was a significant part of the history of Great Britain. Rich with history and a military stronghold for over 2000 years. From a Roman invasion to the English civil war. All but sadly forgotten. It is a town that sadly pays no attention to its rich historic significance. These days it’s no different from any other town where you’ll find a costa, M&S, Macdonalds, KFC, Iceland, all part of a globalised world!"

Many readers wanted to see businesses given lower rents and business rates to help them start up and stay in the town centre.

Wendy Hogg said: "Yes lower rents and rates for shops to encourage long term stay and the chance for smaller businesses."

Emma Plummer added: "Where to start? Less burger bars, more shops, accessible transport, better parking and a council that really cares!"

Other readers touted big names such as John Lewis and designer stores to revitalise the town centre.

Vivien Dane said: "Bring back good few shops and better bus station & market like had before they move it out of the high st we had some lovely stalls some shops for the old people and for people that don’t shop on line like to see what you want to buy we got to many eating places do a market like other towns bury and Sudbury and Chelmsford."

Rob Cherry said: "A John Lewis in Debenhams old building and an internal Freeport type set up in M&S with designer outlet stores. Will give the town centre a decent range of clothes shopping then from Primark and H&M to designer brands"

Karen Maxwell added: "We need to see if we can possibly save M & S (doubtful but never say never). If Tescos is going to open then that needs to hurry up. Shops like Lakeland and independent clothes shops would be nice.

"Turn the old Debenhams building into an indoor shopping experience with smaller boutique style stores plus stalls with fresh produce."