WHAT shops and brands would Colchester residents like to see to come the city? 

It is a simple question which never fails to generate debate and discussion and always throws up as many common answers as it does surprising ones.

After posing the question to Gazette readers on social media, we were inundated with suggestions.

Here are some of the most interesting responses

Karen Maxwell said she hoped for an M&S Foodhall in the city centre – a much-missed attraction since the Colchester store’s closure last year.

As well as this, Karen added she would like to see Next return to Colchester. Next also called time on its Colchester store in 2022.

A group of commenters – Luca Marius, Michelle Raven, Corinna Gladwell, Louise-Pink Able and Fiona Stokes – all had the same idea by choosing Morrisons.

At present, Colchester only has a Morrisons Daily rather than a superstore, so it remains to be seen whether Morrisons will follow in the footsteps of fellow retailers Tesco, Asda, Aldi, Lidl and Sainsbury’s.

Lorraine Upsher was on a similar wavelength, as she opted to post about a better variety of shops.

On the other hand, Jess Collinson picked IKEA as something she wished Colchester had while Graeme Cassidy said he wished Colchester had an amusement park.

Lee Parfitt, meanwhile, opted for choices benefiting youngsters, as he highlighted Shakeaway or Build-A-Bear.

Sam Good, Colchester BID Manager, said: "There are some great recommendations on the wishlist for new businesses in the city centre here and we know of a selection of nationals that are exploring the city centre as a destination for their business.

"The new Flip Out development in the former Debenhams building is a great example of a worldwide brand showing confidence in the city centre as a place to invest with this premises set to be the first of its kind through the merging of all of its brands into one large unit.

"The BID is approached on a daily basis from potential businesses looking to move into the city centre which is positive with many neighbouring towns and cities having a far higher vacancy rate than Colchester.

"I am confident more retailers will be coming to the city centre soon with many making contact with us and landlords over the last year however these talks can often be drawn out and long winded.

"The importance of driving new businesses into the city centre, and especially retail, is to encourage as many of our residents to shop and visit the city centre and to support their local businesses with the upcoming Christmas period being crucial to many."