Convenience customers in Colchester have welcomed the arrival of a much-anticipated new Nisa Local in town.
The store, formerly operating as a Premier, was originally scheduled to launch in Spring 2021 after the new owner bought the business and joined Nisa in early January last year.
But the project was stalled by Covid with numerous complications meaning work to transform the store was unable to get underway until September. The development involved a complete overhaul including an extension to create more selling space, increasing the store from just over 1,000 sq.ft. to around 1,500 sq.ft. The interior has been fitted out to the latest Nisa Evolution format specification with all new fixtures and fittings installed and a wide range of food and drink to go added including ice cream, coffee, and hot food.
The new Nisa Local fascia was finally installed in the first week of 2022 and the store fully merchandised ready for launch.
New owner Manickam Anbarasan, who also runs a forecourt store in Colchester, has big ambitions for the store which has been warmly received by shoppers who love the modern development and much expanded range, incorporating a large amount of fresh produce as part of the full convenience offer.
“I have been welcoming my new shoppers in and working with them to make sure I am stocking the products they are looking for," he said.
“Trade is picking up and over the next three to four months I hope to keep making changes to the range to get it just right and keep building up customers.”
Next door, a new fish and chip takeaway is under development which it is hoped will drive further new trade into the store and Anbarasan is confident he will boost sales as shoppers come to realise what is available in the new store.
The project was completed with full support from the Nisa team including Retail Development Manager Lee-anne Evans who said: “The store will be a great asset to the locals. It’s been amazing to be there and hear the customer feedback which has been so positive.”
Brian McLister
