Colchester shops Gazette readers miss the most in the city

And Gazette readers have revealed the places they miss the most as the High Street continues to evolve with the 21st century.

Stevan Slodzik said the shop he’d love to see the return of “has to be” Jacks, in St Nicholas Street, adding people would travel from far and wide to purchase its handy goods.

Reader Ash Moorcroft agreed, stating he still recalls the “unexplainable smell” the shop offered.

Missed - the former Jacks shop

Ronnie Raymer wished BHS was still about in Culver Street to save the day when it came to Christmas.

She said: “You could always count on BHS to have that perfect gift set”.

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Tim Myers revealed the shop he misses the most is the former Sainsbury’s store in High Street, with its “beautiful” tiled surface and impressive meat counter.

The supermarket was even described as akin to the food court at London’s Harrods by Peter Crowhurst, who branded it “a work of tiled art”.

Closed - Debenhams in Head Street (Image: Newsquest)

Glass jigsaw bottles purchased by Andrew MacLean from the old Spoils store are still in his possession, he said, adding “Spoils were great for budget crockery and the usual nick-nacks”.

And music fan Dave Paris said the place he missed the most is Rapture Records.

Scores of readers stated they miss the Debenhams store which closed last year in Culver Square after the firm went into liquidation.

Anne Barnes said she “used to like Williams and Griffins” when she lived in Colchester, with the store formerly found in High Street.

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