A SPORTS retailer is set to open its second store in Colchester after taking over a former Argos site which has been empty for years. 

New sigs has confirmed that JD Sports will be opening a store at the former Argos in Tollgate Retail Park once works are completed.

JD Sports, which proclaims itself as the ‘King of Trainers’, is a sportswear and streetwear retailer that sells garments, footwear, football boots, sports accessories, and more.

It also stocks brands like Adidas, Nike, The North Face, and Crocs to name a few.

Retail park - signage and an entrance into the retail parkRetail park - signage and an entrance into the retail park (Image: Newsquest)

A city centre branch previously opened back in October 2021, Lion Walk Shopping Centre.

In 2020, Sainsbury’s which owns Argos, completed a review of its estate which included plans to close 60 to 70 standalone Argos stores.

This resulted in the Long Wyre Street Argos branch to close down in October that year, this was then followed by the Tollgate store’s closure in 2022.

The business now operates from within the Sainsbury’s supermarket in Western Approach, Stanway, which is just a few minutes away from its former Tollgate location.

Business - the new forthcoming JD SportsBusiness - the new forthcoming JD Sports (Image: Newsquest) Colchester residents have shared their thoughts on the news.

Mary O'Connor said: "When it was Argos, I used it quite often, but since it has moved to Sainsbury's, I hardly use it as I find it quite inconvenient. 

"Now I hear JD Sports is opening there, I am delighted for the people who will frequent the shop but I probably won't unless it is for Christmas presents."

Jake Moigan said: "It will be good to have a larger JD Sports as the one in the city centre is more focused on fashion rather than sports equipment."

Plans were in the pipeline last year for the Tollgate unit to be split into two smaller units after being submitted to the council.

Area - another image of the retail parkArea - another image of the retail park (Image: Newsquest)However, it isn’t going ahead given that JD Sports has taken on the site.

New pictures shows that massive advertisements for the business are being displayed on the unit’s windows, with one large poster saying that a new store is coming soon.

The front entrance was open when The Gazette went to visit the store, and two men were carrying out internal building works inside.

The Gazette contacted JD Sports and a spokesman confirmed the store is due to open in "early November".