A major £500,000 investment plan has been unveiled for Dovercourt town centre.

The Colchester and East Essex Co-operative Society wants to spend the money redeveloping its outlets in the town.

It is hoped the improvements will help regenerate and modernise the High Street.

Chris Blanchett, chief executive officer of the Co-op, said the investment would help secure long-term job prospects.

The draft proposals include:

A total refurbishment of the Co-op department store, estimated to cost £100,000

The creation of a one-stop superstore by transferring the Electronix, Homemaker and Travelcare outlets to the current Fiveways location in Main Road.

Co-op bosses say that would maximise customer convenience, provide easy access for disabled customers and offer adequate and free of charge shoppers' parking facilities

The returning of the current Electronix store, in High Street, to retail usage following a total refurbishment of the building.

Transforming the current Homemaker store, which is in poor structural condition and was built prior to 1920, into a modern residential and retail development.

Published Friday August 13, 2004

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