FOUR new shops are opening in Colchester town centre, the Gazette can reveal.

Holland and Barrett has taken over part of the old HMV store in Lion Walk, making it the chain’s third Colchester shop.

Pop-up vintage shop Revolver Retro and portable art studio Artypants have also taken over spaces in Red Lion Yard temporarily in the run up to Christmas.

And next week the Espresso Room will open its first coffee shop outside of London in Red Lion Yard.

The openings are thought to have brought at least a dozen new jobs to the town centre.

Peter Scopes, Lion Walk shopping centre manger, welcomed the new stores and said he was thrilled they had chosen to open in Lion Walk.

He said: “We’re delighted these retailers have sought out the unique vibrant atmosphere of Lion Walk, who together with our existing stores will offer customers even better variety and choice.”

The Espresso Room has run in London locations Covent Garden, Bloomsbury and Holborn for several years but this is the first time it has branched out of the capital.

Bosses have also won awards for their coffee.

Tom Mullings, co-director of The Espresso Room said he was looking forward to opening.

He said: “This is an exciting step for our company as we expand into Lion Walk.

“We chose Lion Walk as it’s a popular destination and the proximity to London makes it a natural choice for our first venture outside of the capital.”

It is not known if the opening of Holland and Barrett’s third Colchester store will mean either of the others will close.

All three have been trading and open and a spokesman for the company was unable to say.

The four shops are the latest to move into the town centre.

Earlier this year White Stuff moved into the High Street, and early next year Primark is set to open in the old BHS store.

It will create around 150 jobs, with place already being filled after interviews were held last month. Work has been ongoing at the site for some time.

But no exact date has yet been given as to when shoppers can expect the discount clothing store to finally open.