THE chairman of Marks and Spencer is set to meet Colchester’s High Steward to discuss the planned closure of the chain’s High Street branch.

The supermarket chain is planning to withdraw from Colchester High Street after 91 years.

In April M&S announced it would be closing the store and moving to Stane Retail Park, in Stanway.

The retail park, about the size of three football pitches, is already home to B&Q, Cook and Aldi which have opened over the past few months.

Sir Bob Russell bought shares in the company in a bid to speak at the company’s annual meeting.

After speaking out at the meeting, he has received a letter from M&S chairman Archie Norman, who has offered to meet Sir Bob on a date to be agreed next month.

Sir Bob said: “I am grateful to Mr Norman for agreeing to meet me.

“Trying to keep M&S in Colchester High Street may be thought by many to be a lost cause, but as someone who never gives up on a just cause I take the view that while there is life there is hope.”