CAMPAIGNERS have been left “disappointed” by retail bosses’ decision to move forward with plans to close down a historic city centre supermarket of nearly 100 years.

Maarten Westera, alongside his wife Sarah, launched a petition within hours of Marks and Spencer announcing its Colchester High Street store would be shut down.

Since then thousands of incensed shoppers have joined forces in a bid to convince the supermarket giant’s bigwigs to reverse their decision.

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M&S has said the shop would close later this year with the new store opening in the autumn.

But the process is now taking place quicker than campaigners had expected. 

Mr Westera said: “We are very disappointed Marks and Spencer has decided to bring forward the closure of the High Street store.

“But we're hoping this means they will also be able to speed up and bring forward the decision about the possibility to open a new foodhall in the city centre.

“We will continue to make our voices heard to Marks and Spencer and they are very aware of a huge resistance that exists here against the relocation of the store.

“They are taking a big risk, knowing full well they need the support of their existing customers for the new store to be successful.”

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Marks and Spencer, which has been a staple of the Colchester High Street for nearly a century, will shut its doors for the last time on September 6.

Posters have been displayed in windows of the historic store confirming the news and encouraging shoppers to visit the retail juggernaut’s new Stanway site.

Offering everything from food and clothing to homeware, the Stane Retail Park complex will open the day after the closure of the city centre supermarket.

Colchester High Steward Sir Bob Russell, who bought shares in M&S so he could raise concerns at its annual meeting, said: “It’s like trying to turn around a huge ship.

“With momentum at full speed to open the new store at Stanway – with the transfer of High Street staff – it would have been too much to call a halt.

“However, this does not mean there is no hope for further thought with the High Street premises.

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“The poster says ‘A big thank you to all our wonderful Colchester customers’, but that does not chime well with M&S slamming the door in the faces of those wonderful, loyal, Colchester customers,” he added.

“The best way to get Marks and Spencer to think again about Colchester High Street is for existing Marks and Spencer customers to refuse to go to the new store at Stanway.

“Their loyalty is being taken for granted. Customers have the freedom of choice where they shop. They are not compelled to go to a soulless retail park.”