NEW retailers have confirmed they are to open branches at the Stane Retail Park development in Stanway.

Superdrug and Mountain Warehouse have both announced they are going to open the stores in September, though an exact date for openings have yet to be confirmed.

Beauty retailer Superdrug, which already has a branch in Colchester High Street, will open a 5,000sq ft retail unit next to the new Marks and Spencer store.

Mountain Warehouse, the outdoor clothing and equipment retailer, will open a significantly larger floorspace of around 10,000sq ft next to both the Marks and Spencer and Superdrug stores.

With the forthcoming closure of Colchester High Streets Marks and Spencer scheduled for Tuesday, September 6, the new supermarket – which is 80,000sq ft in size – is due to opening the following day on Wednesday, September 7.

It means Stane Retail Park, which was constructed at a cost of £65m, is close to a full complement of retail units, with B&Q, Aldi, Cook, and Greggs having already moved into the premises.

There are now two retail units which are awaiting tenants.

Property director at Superdrug, Nigel Duxbury, said the store would also have a beauty studio including a nail bar and offer body piercing services.

He said: “We are thrilled to be opening a new store in Colchester’s Stane Retail Park, offering shoppers the very best of accessible beauty and health at an affordable price.

"With a Beauty Studio including nail bar, piercing and brow and lash services, luxury fragrance counter and wide range of popular health and beauty brands, we’re proud to be investing in the high street and are sure our customers will love the new store.”

Mountain Warehouse founder, Mark Neale, said: “We’re proud to be opening a store at Stane Retail Park this August, and excited to share our passion for adventure and great value outdoor gear with the Stanway community.”

Managers of the commercial properties at Stane Retail Park, Church Manor, have poured in £2.6m to improve the Eight Ash Green A12 roundabout to try and minimise congestion in the area, which now has an abundance of retail stores.

Emma Proctor King, Head of Communications from Churchmanor said "We are excited to announce two more tenants to add to the exiting line up at Stane Retail Park.

"We feel confident that this will enhance the continued success of the retail park, and provide an improved shopping experience for the residents of Stanway.”