National clothing store Primark is going to be opening a new store in Essex this year.

The company has announced it will be throwing open its doors to shoppers at premises in Lion Walk Shopping Centre.

Primark has also confirmed the opening date will be February 9, next Thursday, with a special opening event starting at 9am.

The store won’t open at that time though – invited guests will get a special tour of the new shop before a ribbon cutting ceremony.

Members of the public will be able to take their first look inside the new premises at 10am.

Primark is taking over the area formerly used by British Home Stores (BHS), a company which went into administration last year.

Currently the nearest Primark stores to Colchester are in Ipswich and Chelmsford.

Other Essex towns such as Southend and Basildon also have Primarks, and there is one at Lakeside shopping centre as well.