The huge new retail and leisure developments coming to Colchester

Shops, restaurants and visitor attractions have also faced months of enforced closures during the pandemic due to nationwide lockdown restrictions.

Both industries have fallen on hard times due to the impact of Covid on our way of lives.

But, with lockdown being eased, there are signs of both being ready to bounce back.

In Colchester, huge investment is set to be made in new leisure and retail facilities across the town.

Instead of in the town centre, however, much of this is focused on out of town retail parks and leisure complexes, which are a relatively rare thing in the town.

There are three main developments for which work is underway - Northern Gateway Leisure Park, Tollgate Village and Stane Retail Park.

Together they represent well over £150 million of investment in the town.

Here is what we know about the developments:

Northern Gateway Leisure Park

Cinema - the Cineworld at the Northern Gateway Leisure Park. Picture: Turnstone Estates

Work is set to start on the new £50 million leisure complex, located just off the A12 near Colchester United's stadium, this summer.

Plans for the development include a 12-screen cinema, run by Cineworld and featuring Superscreen and 4DX facilities.

There will also be a Hollywood Bowl alley, a Putt Stars indoor golf centre and a climbing facility run by Jump Street.

Seven restaurant units, revised down from 12, now feature in the plans, along with two drive-thrus and a 90-bed hotel, set to be run by Travelodge.

The complex will have 750 parking spaces and eight electric vehicle charging points and be run by a new high-tech low carbon heat network.

Read more here >>> Green light for work on £50m Northern Gateway complex to start in summer

Tollgate Village

The latest plans for Tollgate Village. Picture: Corstorphine + Wright

Revised plans for the long-awaited retail and leisure development are set to be submitted soon.

Tollgate Partnership Limited, the firm behind Tollgate Village, has adapted its plans for the new complex, set to be built in Stanway, to reflect changes to the commercial market.

The latest proposals, which will go out to consultation this month, feature office space for small businesses along with a boutique 60- bed hotel, an eight-screen cinema, bowling alley, restaurants and shops.

If plans are approved the firm says the scheme will create 880 new jobs, as well as 480 during construction.

The former Sainsbury’s site, off Tollgate West, will be redeveloped first to feature The Light cinema, bowling, restaurants and shops linked by a new promenade, with space for seasonal activities.

There are plans for electric vehicle charging points and solar panels as well as improved sustainable transport links.

Previous estimates for the scheme have said the development will cost about £70 million, although a newer figure isn't yet known.

After the consultation a planning application will be submitted to Colchester Council for approval.

The project has had a chequered past after being initially turned down by Colchester Council's planning committee.

Plans were approved on appeal but spades are not yet in the ground on the project.

Read more >>> The Light to open multi-screen cinema at Tollgate Village

Stane Retail Park

Work ongoing at Stane Retail Park. Picture: Readie Construction

Construction has started on the new £60 million retail park which will create new stores for B&Q, Marks and Spencer and Aldi.

Churchmanor Estates has kicked off building work on the new Stane Retail Park, at Tollgate in Stanway.

The new 173,000 sq ft retail park, about the size of three football pitches, will house a new store for B&Q, an M&S Food Hall and a new Aldi.

The DIY giant is moving from its current home in The Hythe to the new shop, designed with a covered builders yard and improved garden centre.

It's old home is set to become a new Sainsbury's supermarket for residents of The Hythe.

How Stane Retail Park could look once complete

Aldi will be relocating its nearby London Road store to the new unit, which is much larger.

Churchmanor is also spending £2.6 million on improvements to the Eight Ash Green A12 roundabout, where a four way traffic signal junction is set to be created.

The Western Bypass is also set to be widened to two lanes between Essex Yeomanry Way and the Sainsbury’s roundabout.

Works are on course to be complete in the autumn this year, possibly as soon as October.

Read more >>> Stane Retail Park: Developer provides update on £60m scheme

'Developments are great news for Colchester'

David King, Colchester Council’s business boss, said all three developments are a huge boost to Colchester at a time when investment is desperately needed.

He said: “It is a real sign of confidence in Colchester as a regional centre these developments are taking place.

“Colchester was once a market town but over the years that has changed.

“The town has grown and the advantage of that is there is now a huge amount of choice and quality for residents as well as opportunity for people.

“With the retail and leisure developments as well as our museums and arts offering there really is so much on offer in the town.

“These developments are not in the town centre but I would say one business supports another through supply chains and these schemes help bring more people to Colchester.

“There is also investment coming in to the town centre as well.

“There are a huge amount of positives here - not least what matters most in tough times - the creation of jobs.

“They really are great news for our town.”

• Mr King (Lib Dem) is standing for election to Essex County Council on May 6 in the Mile End and Highwoods ward.
• The other candidates are: Diane Baker (Reform UK), Amanda Kirk (Green), Jocelyn Law (Lab) and David Linghorn-Naker (Con)