SEEING some our favourite shops leave the city centre has been a major disappointment for many of us over the past few years.

Woolworths was a permanent fixture for nearly a century until it shut in 2009, with the closure of Debenhams and Next more recently a bitter disappointment to shoppers.

Smaller retailers have also left the area – Mountain Warehouse closed in the High Street in 2020, butchers Allen and Son closed earlier this year, and Geller's butchers shut back in 2017.

With Marks and Spencer having shut its shop in the High Street after 90 years earlier this month, the question is what – if anything – is going to replace the retail units which are so conspicuous by their emptiness.

When we put this question to our readers, nearly 1,000 people responded in the comments section – some suggestions were wistful, some ironic, and some serious.

Either way, practically everyone agreed something must go where the Marks and Spencer had been for so long. Here were your suggestions…

Indoor Market

An indoor market selling fresh produce and drinks, like I've seen in Spain – Steve Wright

Anything fun for our kids to keep them entertained, or an indoor market – Mel Johnston

Indoor market where rates are kept at a reasonable price so people can rent a space; great for those starting their own business – Felicity Hannah

Indoor market with lots of independent stalls – Louise Burgess

Arcades and Entertainment

An entertainment complex that includes bowling, an arcade, mini golf. Something to attract more people to the town for days and evenings out – Jake Lunniss

An entertainment complex would be a great draw for town the centre, with something like junk yard golf, bowling, axe throwing – a bit like Box Park in London – Marc Innes

We need an arcade place with 2p machines, little rides for £1 a go, maybe a little bowling alley or ice skating rink bit – somewhere fun to take the kids x – Chloe Coppin

Arcade, soft play, or bowling alley – like the one in Ipswich – Jane Pinn

Beauty and Fashion

Zara, 100 per cent!!! – Claire Lendon

Clothes shops – Colleen Prior

Zara would be awesome, with a Morrisons marketplace in another empty shop – Joanna Lynne

Doc Martens, Whittard, Zara, Triathlon Shop, Urban Outfitters – Amy Wadhams

We definitely need a huge Zara store – Danielle Dickson

Zara, White Company, Disney Store – Carli Fuller

Quirkier Ideas…

An adult creche to drop husbands off that hate shopping – Helen Sparkes

A drop off centre to put the kids, while the parents go shopping lol – Lisa McManus

A strip club – Jas Penny

A Marks and Spencer would be good – Jacquie Chaplin