IT is fair to say many of Colchester’s residents would like to see a Morrisons added to the city's plethra of supermarkets.

From Lidl and Tesco to Asda and Sainsbury’s, shoppers have plenty of choice on where to buy their goods.

However, what many residents want to see added is a Morrisons.

A popular everyday supermarket chain, there are already Morrisons stores across Essex, with the nearest superstores in Ipswich, Clacton and Witham.

Gazette: Colchester residents are overwhelmingly in favour of Morrisons opening in the townColchester residents are overwhelmingly in favour of Morrisons opening in the town (Image: Google)

When it comes to Colchester, the firm only has a Morrisons Daily and not a superstore.

Its arrival has been rumoured for more than a decade, including at the Cowdray Centre before homes plans were approved for the site.

And it appears if the brand were to open in the town, it would have no shortage of customers.

The Gazette has previously asked readers whether they would like to see Morrisons open a store in the town in a poll on our website.

Out of 708 respondents, 92 per cent said yes.

The city finally got a Morrisons (sort of), at the end of last year, when the former McColl’s convenience store in Mersea Road was replaced by a Morrisons Daily.

Gazette: The former McColl’s convenience store in Mersea Road was replaced by a Morrisons DailyThe former McColl’s convenience store in Mersea Road was replaced by a Morrisons Daily (Image: Newsquest)

The Gazette posed the question to Morrisons as to whether or not they had any plans to open another store in the city anytime soon.

Unfortunately, it may not be the answer many are hoping for.


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A spokesman said: “There are no plans to share at the time being.”

So, it appears the wait for Colchester’s newest supermarket continues.

However, despite this, a new supermarket is coming to Colchester.

Sainsbury’s will open its fourth store in the city later this year.

Gazette: Coming soon - Sainsbury's will open its Mile End store by the end of the yearComing soon - Sainsbury's will open its Mile End store by the end of the year (Image: Newsquest/Sainsbury's)

Building work started at the site, which is on the corner of Whitmore Drive and Via Urbis Romanae, Mile End, earlier this year.

Construction work is underway, with the building coming together more every day.

Patrick Dunne, who is Sainsbury’s property director, said: “We’re delighted to be building a new Sainsbury’s Local for customers in Colchester, creating new jobs and representing a significant investment in the area.

“Recruitment for the new colleague team will take place later this year and we’ll keep the local community updated.”

The shop, which will be at the heart of the Kingswood Heath development, was initially planned to be a Co-op store.