A MAJOR fashion retailer is set to move to Colchester town centre.

The final stage of a multi-million pound project to revitalise the Lion Walk shopping centre is due to begin any day now.

Bosses are waiting for a major store to sign on the dotted line before they close four shops and amalgamate them into one 20,000sq ft flagship store.

It is believed the new occupiers could be Zara or Next.

La Salle UK Ventures Company bought the Lion Walk centre from Colchester Council for £69million in 2008.

Since then, the company has spent several million pounds on completing phases one and two of its regeneration which has already seen new seating and paving being put up outside the entrance to Lion Walk.

Stage three will see the knocking together of four retail units, Paperbox, Samantha, Innovations and the mobile phone shop, 02. The area outside the new shop will also be given a major revamp, including new paving and an outdoor kiosk or cafe.

Paul Bentham, Lion Walk shopping centre manager, said: “This is a fantastic thing for Colchester and we are hoping to start work on the third and final stage as soon as possible.

“It will breathe new life into that part of the town and we are already seeing the benefits of the first stages of the project.

“It will create a real outdoor culture in Colchester and the whole area is going to look so much better.”

He added: “We want to bring more people into Colchester and keep shoppers here, rather than losing them to places like Ipswich and Chelmsford.”

Mr Bentham said the project had attracted interest from half a dozen different High Street retailers, including Zara and Next.

There will also be a new feature entrance to BHS on Culver Walk plus new lighting.