Colchester has lost some firm favourites over the years when it comes to high street stores.

Music Warehouse closed last year after 37 years, and the former Debenhams store also shut last year after 34 years – although Colchester Council’s leader has said the retail space could be a fantastic asset in the future.

Woolworths too was a popular shop before the chain went under in 2008, as was BHS before folding in 2016.

Gazette: Missed – Music Warehouse, run by Lou and Sue Moodie, was a popular high street store in Colchester's town centreMissed – Music Warehouse, run by Lou and Sue Moodie, was a popular high street store in Colchester's town centre

But although the high street has lost some big hitters, it at least opens a window of opportunity for new shops to come in and take their place.

So what kinds of shops would you like to have in Colchester for when the weekend rolls around?

Here were some of your suggestions – and there were plenty…

One of the more popular suggestions came from Marianne Taylor, who suggested an indoor permanent market would be the town’s best bet to get people flocking back into the town centre.

Another suggestion was a made by Siddra Hussain, who suggested a big indoor mall would revive the town centre’s fortunes.

Read more:

• Boy rushed to hospital after car collision in Colchester

• Plans for new cycle lane in Hythe, Colchester, revealed

• Colchester surgeon earns recognition for robotic surgery

Shane Jones echoed many people’s sentiments by suggesting a Morrisons supermarket – the town has every other major supermarket chain, with the nearest Morrisons in Clacton.

Both Ipswich and Chelmsford have John Lewis – but with Colchester sandwiched roughly half an hour away from both towns, many would welcome the high-end homeware store to the Colchester postcode.

In an interview last month, however, Colchester Council leader Paul Dundas said he expected leisure facilities to move into the centre, rather than retailers.

He said: “Leisure seems to have a great pull rather than retail, which still has its place and will stay, but I don’t think you’ll see as many big new retailers arrive, such are the times with online shopping.”