RETAILERS say a £70million shopping mall could save Colchester town centre.

Proposals to build Vineyard Gate shopping centre have been announced.

An large “anchor” store has been selected and a number of other shops and restaurants have already signed up.

The roofed shopping centre will be funded by £5million from Colchester Council, with the rest put up by private investors.

Mark Larner, who runs Colchester Pet Stores, in Eld Lane, near to the proposed centre, said: “This is a brilliant opportunity for the town.

“It is about time the council started thinking about the town centre instead of thinking about out of town shopping centres."

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