This week it was announced another two big names would be joining the Stane Park development at Stanway.

Both Superdrug and Mountain Warehouse will be bringing their brands to the multi-million pound development.

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.

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.

What do we know about the new stores?

Mountain Warehouse departed the city centre back in 2020. Its former building is now a Tesco Express.

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.”

The new Superdrug store will have a beauty studio including a nail bar and offer body piercing services.

Property director at Superdrug, Nigel Duxbury, 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.”

When will they open?

Superdrug and Mountain Warehouse have both announced they are going to open the stores in September.

However an exact date for openings have yet to be confirmed.

Marks and Spencer will close its high street store on September 6 and open its new Stane Park shop on September 7.

The new supermarket – which is 80,000sq ft in size – will have a foodhall, clothing, home and beauty sections and 682 parking spaces outside the shop.

It will also include a 136-seat café.