Radical plans for the Co-op's Fiveways store in Stanway, Colchester, have been revealed.

The store, in Peartree Road, is a centrepiece of the Peartree Retail Park and includes the main 68,000 sq ft food superstore and a 23,000 sq ft electronics store

But under a new plan, the main food store will be downscaled and new parts will also be built.

The proposals include possible leisure use of part of the site, new homes, four new shops or financial service outlets and a new restaurant.

The Co-op claims the proposed changes will see 60 jobs created and 1,000 more vehicles each day. Parking spaces will be cut from 618 to 400.

Under the scheme, the main foodstore will be cut in size to 50,000 sq ft. The Homemaker and Electronix store opposite will be kept as it is.

A Co-op spokeswoman said: "The scheme is still in its early stages of planning but the intent is to totally revitalise this site and provide a much wider range of neighbourhood shops."

Published Thursday October 24, 2002

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