A stroll through Colchester's town centre back in 2009

Back then, Colchester town centre, as it was not a city yet, felt busy but familiar, with a thriving business lining the busiest streets. 

You might have started at the top of the High Street, where Williams & Griffin stood as a landmark on the corner, years before its redevelopment and rebranding as Fenwick. 

Shopping - Debenhams was the place to be for shopping (Image: Google Maps Street View)

Bus - The former bus depot off Queen Street (Image: Google Maps Street View)

For generations it was Colchester’s department store, where locals bought winter coats, wedding gifts and celebrated with lunch after the sales. 

Debenhams sat in the middle of Culver Square and connected to Head Street drew in shoppers from floor to floor before a tea break. 

Both department stores were busy businesses, and frequented stops on the list of everyone visiting the town centre. 

Wilkinson in St John's Walk (Image: Google Maps Street View)

A short walk away, Woolworths was still on the Head Street as well, packed with DVDs, school kit and pick ’n’ mix for kids and adults alike. 

Seventeen years on, the streets look nearly the same, but the shops do not. 

Many favourites, such as Marks & Spencer opposite Town Hall, have moved into new retail parks outside the centre. 

Newspaper - The Gazette and Essex County Standard had their headquarters close to the centre in North Hill (Image: Google Maps Street View)

Historic - The Williams & Griffin store is now Fenwick (Image: Google Maps Street View)

Club - The Sky Nightclub where now Three Wise Monkeys operates (Image: Google Maps Street View)

Williams & Griffin has become Fenwick, and Woolworths and Debenhams have gone. 

While the departure of shops has changed the face of the centre, additions such as the Mercury Theatre have added to its revival. 

The theatre with its vibrant maker space took over the Orientation restaurant site. 

Restaurant - The Orientation restaurant in Balkerne Gate (Image: Google Maps Street View)

Even now, a single old shopfront or doorway can transport you back to 2009, when Colchester town centre felt frozen in time. 

Google Maps Street View shows the oldest available image for Colchester High Street is from 2009, making it a useful snapshot of the pre-2010s town centre.