BIG hospitality chains moving into Colchester shows a 'vote of confidence' in the town centre, according to a Jobcentre spokesman.

Dave Cope, district operations manager at the Jobcentre Plus, said more chains investing in the town shows how fast the hospitality sector is growing.

He also confirmed the towns unemployment figures for the month had dropped further than other towns in Essex.

The figures stand at 1,380 unemployed people in Colchester in September - 55 fewer people than in August.

Mr Cope said: "That's quite a significant drop in the current climate - in Colchester, we've seen a bigger drop in unemployment than elsewhere.

"I would suggest we are bucking the trend. If you look back to a year ago, we are in a much better position now.

"It reflects the buoyancy of the economy of Colchester."

He added: "I know people have things to say about the nature of the town centre.

"I think I would support the local authority's view that investment by some of the big hospitality chains is a vote of confidence.

"Hospitality has been a growth sector for quite some time - Colchester and Chelmsford both reflect that and have done for a while.

"It's not everyone's ideal world but that's where we are.

"A lot of these organisations have a very strong apprenticeship offer and big progression opportunities."

Mr Cope also mentioned the Jobcentre had had hundreds of applications for the upcoming Primark store.