COLCHESTER’S ailing town centre is on the up as several new businesses have taken over empty shops.

Fears out-of-town retail sites might take big names and footfall away from the High Street have been growing in recent months, fuelled by a number of shop closures.

But the town centre economy has had a cash injection after a number of new businesses moved in.

The newest addition to Sir Isaac’s Walk is Truly Scrumptious, which has opened in the former Dress Again store.

Owner Fran Warren, 55, is opened the old-fashioned style sweet shop with her daughter Jenny, 27, yesterday and will officially launch on Saturday.

They will sell old-style pick-n-mix from glass jars, bespoke chocolates, wedding favours and other sweet treats.

Ms Warren said: “I used to work in a sweet shop after school. I love sweets.

“It’s one of those places where older people, people my age, can go and reminisce and for the little ones it’s a completely different experience for them.”

Ms Warren was determined to open in Colchester and believes it is the perfect place for her business to boom.

She said: “We knew we wanted to be here. It’s got the footfall and it’s got the charm.

“Colchester is up and coming, it’s getting bigger and bigger.”

Family-run business Sports Nutrition has also opened in Crouch Street.

Owner Shaun Parker, 54, runs the nutrition food store with his wife, Catherine, and their sons James, 23, Gareth, 20 and Oliver 19.

Their business has been running online for about three years and they were keen to expand with a shop.

Shaun said: “I believe the best way for us is to combine online with offline.

“We felt there was a gap in the market. Colchester is an expanding town and we wanted to buck the trend and show you can come to the town if you’ve got the right business personality and set up.”

Vu’s Spa has opened in Eld Lane, Poundland has taken over a building in St John’s Street and dessert cafe Tysa has opened in High Street.

Crouch Street Cafe Bar has been taken over by new owners and will open later this month.

Discount store QD is looking to open two new stores after closing its St John’s branch.

Primark is also finally set to open in the BHS building next year.

Ron Levy, secretary of Colchester Retail and Business Association, said: “It is encouraging.

“It is a surprise, but it can only reflect there is confidence in the town centre.

“There is generally a feeling that there is returning growing support for the town centre.

“I think it goes against the views that some people seem to have that the town centre is dying. It certainly is not.”