A COLCHESTER councillor has said she would welcome the addition of a global retail giant in the city.

Costco is eyeing up two Essex sites in Chelmsford and Colchester as part of a 14-site list of expansion.

The retail giant - which is one of the largest worldwide - currently boasts just one site in the county, near Lakeside in Thurrock.

Gazette: Queues - customers outside Costco in FarnboroughQueues - customers outside Costco in Farnborough (Image: PA)

It has been announced Chase Commercial Limited and Colliers International have been “retained by Costco Wholesale UK” to deliver “suitable sites in the UK in order to expand their existing portfolio of 29 membership warehouse clubs”.

Director at Chase Commercial Justin Parker said: "We are really pleased to be partnered with Costco Wholesale UK to deliver further warehouse clubs for them throughout the UK.

“Costco has an excellent planning and performance track record and is entirely self-funded.

“We are seeking six to 12-acre sites to provide 150,000 sq ft buildings with 650 parking spaces and the ability to develop a Petrol Filling & EV Station.”

According to The Sun, Costco will work with the property development companies to find and convert the new sites, but all the purchases will be self-funded and hopes to open the new stores "as soon as possible”.

It added this could feasibly be completed “within the next two years”, although some stores could be delayed if the acquisitions take longer than planned.

As well as the two further sites in Essex, they are also looking at Exeter, Oxford, Cambridge, Maidstone, Brighton, Portsmouth, Bournemouth/Poole, Preston, South Glasgow, South East London, Wolverhampton/North West Birmingham and South West Birmingham.

Gazette: Councillor - Alison Jay said she would 'welcome the addition'Councillor - Alison Jay said she would 'welcome the addition' (Image: Public)

Colchester Council’s portfolio holder for economy Alison Jay said it is “not something she has heard about yet”, but “would welcome it”.

The Highwoods councillor said: “Subject to suitability and availability, we would welcome any retailer who feels Colchester would have the suitable footfall they’re looking for.

“Something of that size would tell me it would probably be out of town, and I am not sure where they would look at.

“But in terms of economy, jobs and retail experiences for residents, we are opening to anything.”

“And especially in the cost of living crisis, it could be something residents would be really in favour of.”