COLCHESTER could be in line for another mini-supermarket.

Work has started on combining four shops into one large unit in Cotman Road, on Colchester’s Prettygate estate – just 50ft from a Co-op store.

Residents say they are almost certain the site has been earmarked by a major supermarket, although nothing has been officially confirmed.

They have criticised the planning process, which has allowed Colchester-based Hills Building Group to convert the shops into a single unit.

The company initially applied to turn three units into four to create a row of smaller shops.

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