Retailers in Colchester’s high street can expect a festive trading boost, a finance chief has said, after hundreds of people gathered in the town centre for the annual Christmas lights switch-on.
David Burch, director of policy at the Essex Chambers of Commerce, said business in the heart of the town was “moving in the right direction” and predicted shoppers to flock to town centre stores during Christmas.
It comes after hundreds of people lined the streets in Colchester today to see the festive snowflake lights switch on and the traditional shop window unveiling at the Williams & Griffin store.
Seven-year-old Emma Elsey, of Clacton, joined Cinderella and Prince Charming from Colchester’s Mercury Theatre’s pantomime Cinderella in a procession to the Town Hall.
Mr Burch said: “The town’s shops are becoming increasingly busy, I think footfall is increasing and hotels are coming into Colchester, so it is obviously seen as a growing town centre.
“Colchester Borough Council is working hard to improve the town centre offering, working with businesses, and I think things are going in the right direction.”
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