THE latest addition to Colchester’s retail scene will be open for business today as shoppers are welcomed to a brand-new store at Turner Rise Retail Park.

Discount chain B&M will open at 9am this morning after preparations were completed to prepare the shop for customers yesterday evening.

Gazette:

The retail space had formerly been occupied by Go Outdoors before the chain closed its Colchester branch in November last year.

Gazette:

As well as 30,000sqft of in-store space, B&M also has 10,000sqft of garden centre retail space for customers.

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Many of the products on sale are branded groceries at knock-down prices, as well as pet food, homeware, electricals, and DIY accessories.

Gazette:

The store will be open from 8am until 9pm Monday to Saturday, and 10an until 4pm on Sundays.

Area manager Mick Fagan, who joined B&M from rivals Poundland last year, said supply chain issues which had dogged the retail industry in 2021 were unlikely to be a problem in the months ahead.

Gazette:

He said: “We haven’t really suffered [from supply chain issues] to be honest – much of it depends where you buy your core products from.

“We don’t suffer with gardening supply issues anyway, and for the main store we haven’t had any major issues – we’ve been consistent all the way through.

Gazette:

“From a business point of view we’ve continued to keep really strong availability for our customers.”

B&M joins a host of other discount stores on Turner Rise, including Asda, Home Bargains, and Poundland.