Colchester residents react to ex-Marks & Spencers closure

Colchester's long-running and historic M&S store, previously in the High Street, closed its doors in September last year due to the retailer opening a bigger site in Stane Retail Park, Stanway.

Since then, the city centre store, which had been a major part of the city centre for 90 years, has been left vacant.

Despite strong calls for the supermarket to return to the city, bosses at M&S previously implied they had no intention of moving back into its former home. 

But a speck of hope remained among campaigners, nonetheless. 

Gone forever - What the high street site looks like currently (Image: Public)

In recent weeks, however, the site has been boarded-up and put on the market, potentially putting an end to any chance of M&S returning to the High Street.

The arrival of the black planks of wood in the windows of the empty store has upset shoppers. 

Colchester customer Richard Ball adored the former M&S and still holds out hope it will one day return.

He said: “I personally would love M&S to return to the High Street and bring its food hall back.

“I’m speaking for the elderly people who don’t own a car.

"It was easy for them to get on a bus to the High Street, do their shopping in M&S but now the business has moved.”

Carole Winger-Beeston agreed and said the move was upsetting.

Side entrance - Culver Street's closed entrance last year (Image: Newsquest)

She said: “M&S leaving the High Street is so sad.

“Not everybody has a car and likes going to retail parks.

“Some of the shops are spread out over a very large area which makes it hard for the elderly.

“When it rains there’s no popping in anywhere to take shelter.”

Kevin Raby, however, believes the move to the out-of-city retail park was the right move for the supermarket.

He said: “The parking charges and availability make going outside the town a much better option.

"You can park for free, do your shopping, and load it straight into your car.

“We avoid Colchester’s centre like the plague it’s just hassle to get in there, then the parking so many now you have to use your phone to pay and park.”

Current location - Marks and Spencer in Stane Retail Park (Image: Newsquest)

According to signage placed outside, the city centre site is being looked after by McMullen Real Estate, a business which focuses on retail units.

Tracey Luff-Johnson believes the respectfully-sized building could host several smaller businesses as opposed to just one.

She said: “Why not remove the asbestos in the building and make it an indoor market running all year round?

“It could be six days per week and enable small businesses to rent a pitch there.

“We could have a diverse amazing market here again, instead of the shambles we now have.”

Isobel McAndrew Emment, however, believes another popular supermarket retailer should take up the space.

She said: “Come on Waitrose, buy it and open a little Waitrose or a food hall in town.

“When the unit was a M&S it was busy every day.

“Those people aren’t driving to Stane Park - well they might be driving there, but they’re queuing for two hours to get out.”