Three new small shops open in Sir Isaac’s Walk

All three opened in the popular shopping lane on Saturday, much to the delight of a traders’ group.

Colchester Retail Business Association is trying to encourage more small shops in the town centre to encourage an atmosphere akin to Brighton’s famous Lanes.

Association chairman Michelle Reynolds said: “We want to encourage people to walk down there.

“The idea would be for them to run from one side of the town to the other.

“These new shops are good news for Colchester, which is distinctive, with its mix of big and independent shops.

“This shows it is healthy and Colchester shops are not closing.”

One of the new shops, Handmade High Street, is selling hand-made crafts, some of which are created in the shop itself.

It is also planning to hold craft workshops in an upstairs room when the shop becomes more established.

The owner, Colchester woman Maryann Morris, 30, said: “It is in the perfect position – all the other shops around here are great.

“It has so much character.”

The second new business, the Dance Shop, has been opened a few doors along by former dancer and dance teacher, Diana King, 50, from Layer de la Haye, taking her first plunge into the world of retail.

She said: “I have been dancing since I was three and come from that sort of background, so I know it inside out.

“If you want dance clothes you will come and find us, so we won’t need to rely on passing trade. All the same the building is perfect.

“It’s great other businesses are opening at the same time. I hope we can feed off each other.”

The Dance Shop will offer clothing and dance equipment to cater for dancers in all styles including ballet, tap and Zumba.

The third new retailer, MiliMili Bridal, also served its first customers on Saturday.

Owner Charlotte Balbier has been in the bridalwear business for almost a year.

l Traders will meet soon to discuss the findings of a Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust report on creating Lanes-style shops in Colchester.