A QUESTION mark remains over what brands could fill the final three units at a multi-million pound complex in Colchester - but residents have been assured "healthy discussions are ongoing".
The remaining empty units at the Northern Gateway Leisure Park, just off the A12, have been earmarked for restaurants or leisure businesses.
Developers Turnstone Estates, however, are yet to confirm what firms could open up at the site, which is also home to Greggs and Wendy's.
But Colchester residents have a good idea of what they would like to see takeover the vacant units.
“A roller skating rink would be good since Rollerworld closed. My granddaughters miss that," said Linda Simons, while others suggested an Ikea, Costco or Zara.
Helen Julia, meanwhile, suggested “a pub” while Rebecca Beady said she’d like a Home Sense store.
One of the vacant sites is a 3,724-sq ft restaurant unit advertised as costing £130,000 per annum.
The unit is adjacent to what will be the Cineworld entrance and faces the landscaped piazza with provision for “substantial” outdoor seating.
Another 3,079 sq ft restaurant site is advertised at £108,000 per annum, which also boasts provision for outdoor seating.
The third vacant site is a 10,409 sq ft space, also advertised as a restaurant space is marketed at the cost of a return on assets.
Martin Goss, Colchester councillor for Mile End, said discussions about what could fill the empty units remain ongoing.
He said: “I can say there are healthy discussions ongoing for the remainder of the units and they will be around a sport and leisure type business.
"There won’t be any retail going in there.
“I believe the Northern Gateway will be a roaring success for Colchester even in the current difficult climate we face as we have gone into a recession.
“Given the circumstances economically not being as successful as we’d like, we will have a complete park ready to open this year.
“The businesses already open at the site are doing really well.”
Mr Goss also had his say on what he would like to see at the complex.
He said: “I’d love to see something like a snowdome skiing facility like in Milton Keynes and I’d like to see a wind tunnel type thing.
“They’re regional and unique and there’s nowhere near that you can do activities like that.
“That’s the type of thing I’d like to see in this phase or a future phase.”
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