Retailers are set to reopen their doors on Monday, with Colchester s shopping centres set to welcome back customers. Both Culver Square and Lion Walk will reopen from April 12 after shutting in January following the announcement of the third UK lockdown. Under the government s roadmap to recovery, non-essential shops can open and hospitality venues can serve food and alcohol to customers sitting outdoors. Safety measures have been introduced at both shopping centres including one-way systems and hand sanitising stations for shoppers. Alongside following Government guidelines, stores may also have their own policies to keep staff and shoppers safe. Earlier this week Primark announced it would be extending its opening hours in an effort to reduce queues and give customers more space and time to shop safely.
COLCHESTER town centre is set to change dramatically over the coming years. In part influenced by the Covid pandemic and the changing retail market, some big names are likely to be leaving the high street soon. But there are also more positive changes on their way, with huge investment on its way to the town centre. One part of the town is set to see more of this investment than most. The area around St Nicholas Square, in St Nicholas Street, is set to undergo a total revamp. The old co-op department store, in Long Wyre Street, is being totally transformed into a new retail, leisure and homes development, anchored by a new Loungers restaurant.
How Colchester town centre has survived one year of lockdowns gazette-news.co.uk - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from gazette-news.co.uk Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
3. Debenhams Colchester s Debenham s store will close permanently in what has been described as a big blow for the town. The store, in Culver Street West, is one of the largest in the town centre and the brand is one of the biggest on the high street. Online fashion retailer Boohoo has bought the Debenhams brand for £55 million, however, it it not set to take on its stores or workforce. This means the historic brand s remaining 118 stores will close for good as part of a structured winding down of the business.
4. Topshop Another big name brand is set to disappear from Colchester town centre for good after being taken over by an online retailer.