We have seen plenty of brands come and go from Colchester High Street over the years.
Next, Marks and Spencer, and Debenhams were all big favourites amongst shoppers who liked to stay local when they were treating themselves to something, or buying a friend or relative a gift.
So, when we asked readers which brands they would like to see come to Colchester – or in some cases, come back to Colchester – we were flooded with hundreds of suggestions from readers who are desperate to see the good times return to the heart of the city.
Here were some of your top picks…
Independent businesses
Give independents a chance with better rates. Need classy modern choices – Patricia Bray
We need more independent businesses being able to set up and maintain themselves in our town centre, not multimillion pound brands who do fine without a store in an already struggling area. Butchers, greengrocers, bakers, local produce. – Robbie Raymer
None. I would like to see more independent shops thriving, rather than dull, soulless chains. – Johnny Love
You should turn old M&S into an indoor market. Independent shops! Butchers, fruit and veg, zero waste dried goods or refill bulk stores, fish mongers, or delis. – Victoria Waite
Greengrocers, fishmongers, butchers, bakers… let's support local instead of the big company chains. – Sanchia Nash
What I want for Colchester are independent shops. Local people selling their wares. Things you don’t see in other towns – Debs McAndrew
Marks and Spencer
M&S back to the High Street – Mary Adams
Marks and Sparks would be great idea, oh wait… - Nev Drysdale
Anything that’s not a coffee shop. Bring back M&S. You can always dream I guess – Nathalie Muir
M&S all day long – Johan West
How about marks and Spencer’s back in the High Street – Yvonne Lowther
M&S. I’m really missing it being in the town – Abbie Shannon
Lakeland
Kitchen shop like Spoils or Lakeland, M&S, John Lewis – Michelle Williamson
Lakeland 1000 per cent – Rachel Wilkin
Zara
Zara and White company – Caroline Ridge-Pace
Zara, Homesense and H&M home, the White Company.... but are we ever going to get them? We've been upgraded to a city centre now so the shops should reflect that – Marney Linsell
Zara and Homesense – Sophia Rose
Morrisons
Definitely Morrisons for supermarket but then I'd love to see lots of small independent shops in the city centre, and a vibrant open air food market – Stella Kerins
Morrisons in the old M&S – Nick Price
Morrisons, definitely – Matthew Able
Morrisons, a decent proper butchers, a decent older woman’s clothes shop, a decent greengrocers, a fresh fish shop, don’t care about brands just decent shops – Jane Evans
IKEA
We need an IKEA, who agrees? – Becky Martin
IKEA, Zara, John Lewis – Ola Batrakova
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