A SUPERMARKET in the heart of Colchester is to close for three months whilst it undergoes a major refurbishment.

Sainsbury’s, which has three stores in Colchester, is to close its branch in Priory Walk for three months for major upgrades.

The shop will be closed from Saturday, August 13 until November at the earliest with a spokesman saying they hoped the store would reopen in time for people to do their Christmas shopping.

The two other branches of Sainsbury’s in Colchester, in Layer Road and Stanway, are to remain open as normal.

A Sainsbury’s spokesman said: “Our Colchester supermarket will temporarily close from August 13 for essential upgrades to the store’s refrigeration, ventilation and heating systems.

“The store will be more energy efficient as a result, supporting our sustainability plans and ambitions.

“We will be working hard to complete the upgrades as quickly as possible and are sorry for any inconvenience this may cause.”

When pressed for an update on whether Sainsbury’s bosses were still exploring the option of investing in the former B&Q site in the Hythe, no further information was given.

Planning permission for the supermarket giant to open a store inside the retail unit was granted as far back as 2016.

A spokesman previously told the Gazette: "Sainsbury’s is still hoping to invest in the site at Lightship Way. These plans do not include a proposal for housing."