COLCHESTER’S shops are closing at one of the fastest rates in the East of England, a survey claims.

The vacancy rate is said to be up nearly 5 per cent on last year – with one in six shops in the town now empty.

The research by the Local Data Company says 15.8 per cent of shops are vacant. That placed Colchester fifth worst in the East of England.

Ipswich had a rate of 14.7 per cent.

However, Chelmsford, at 10 per cent, is nowhere near as hard hit.

Essex Federation of Small Businesses said the findings were worrying news for Colchester shoppers and retailers.

Iain Wicks, chairman of the North East Essex Federation, warned the situation could worsen as the Centre for Retail Research expects about 10,000 shops to close nationwide in the next year.

He said: “In Ipswich, the increase is 2.8 per cent and in Northampton just 2 per cent, so Colchester seems to be losing retailers at a faster rate than elsewhere.’’ The Essex federation warned in the summer that traders in Colchester were facing problems when the mid-year retail vacancy survey was published, said Mr Wicks.

“But all that has happened is Colchester councillors have brought forward plans to pedestrianise the town centre, which we predict will lead to fewer shoppers and, in time, fewer shops,’’ he added.

“A radical approach is needed to ensure the retail offer in Colchester is the right one for the area, so shoppers find it attractive.

“This, in turn, means retailers will thrive and want to be part of the Colchester shopping experience.”

The figures are at odds with those from Colchester Retail & Business Association last autumn.

It found only 8.5 per cent of the 745 town centre shop spaces were unoccupied.

Nick Barlow, Colchester councillor responsible for economic development, said: “There have been some closures, but nothing on the scale described.

“Everything on the ground suggests a very robust retail picture.”