COLCHESTER High Street is to be closed again to allow for a giant crane to be removed.

The huge tower crane has been a prominent feature of the Colchester skyline for the past two years as it has been used during the redevelopment of Williams and Griffin department store.

However, as work on the £30million project comes to an end, it will no longer be needed and will be removed over the weekend of August 5 and 7.

The work to dismantle the crane will mean the High Street will be closed to vehicles from 7pm on Friday until 7pm on Sunday.

All High Street stores will open as usual.

Williams and Griffin managing director Carl Milton said: “This is one of the final milestones in our redevelopment journey and marks the start of the final countdown to the full opening of the refurbished store on September 15.

“Previous crane manoeuvres have created a lot of interest among customers and visitors and this final move is likely to be no exception.

“Staff from Williams and Griffin, the main contractor Sir Robert McAlpine and St Helena Hospice, the store’s chosen charity, will be organising a host of fun, fundraising activities for children on Saturday, August 6, including art and craft sessions, free giveaways and appearances of mascots George the Chimp from the store and the hospice’s Dandy Lion.”

Williams and Griffin will be rebranded as Fenwick as part of the official reopening.

  •  The store is running a photographic competition with the opportunity to win gift cards to spend in-store for the best crane pictures.

Full details can be found on the store’s website at www.wandg.co.uk and its Facebook page. Search for Williams and Griffin.

Entries should be emailed to service@wandg.co.uk by Saturday, August 13, or posted on Twitter to #wngcrane.