MARKS and Spencer will have to stump up almost £800-a-day to rent its Colchester High Street shop, despite it being vacant since September.
The supermarket giant closed its doors in the High Street on September 6 despite an outpouring of protests against the decision.
A large new premises in Stane Retail Park, Stanway, opened its doors on the same day.
A Freedom of Information request has revealed the retailer will have to start paying full business rates of £280,576 for the High Street site from December 6.
It follows a three month grace period given to businesses to find a replacement tenant following their exit.
Marks and Spencer owns the freehold of the portion of the shop facing High Street, but leases the rear half from Lion Walk Shopping Centre.
The eyewatering sum it will have to pay from next month works out at just shy of £800-per-day and more than £23,000-a-month.
It is understood the company is also continuing to pay for insurance and other costs for the empty building.
An estate agency board outside the unit says it is available to sale or rent.
An M&S spokesman said:“Whenever we take the decision to relocate, our priority is always to find a suitable alternative use for our former site, and we continue to work hard to find a solution for the Colchester city centre site.
"We will keep the local community updated with any developments.”
Sir Bob Russell, who submitted the FOI request, claimed M&S will have to sell “lots of knickers and sandwiches” at the new Stane Park shop to account for money now being lost.
“This is needed at the bleak shopping mall at Stane Park to make a profit to offset the money pouring down the drain at the closed High Street store,” said the former MP.
But the M&S spokesman hit out at Sir Bob's claims the new store was "failing", stating business is booming.
He added: "The store is even busier than we expected."
The full business rates set to continue in less than two weeks’ time will be paid concurrently with those invoiced to the Stane Park premises.
A Colchester Council official stated M&S is awaiting valuation for its business rates at the site by the Valuation Office Agency.
Marks and Spencer were contacted for comment.
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