A bit out of the way to anyone who doesn't have a car, like all DIY shops this one sizes in at…read moreabour 300 acres, and is staffed completly by people over the age of 70, but they actually know what they sell and where is is, which is certainly commendable. Although they've cut back a bit on outside furniture, plants, and water features, there is still a large stock of these available, as well as everything from wallpaper to power-tools. The staff will also help you lift items onto the trolley's, or nearby to the tills too, or they will take it to a till for you, and put it behind so you can continue shopping without having to push your chosen items around with you if they're particularly bulky.

Homebase has taken a knock on sales from the newly opened B&Q adjacent to Waitrose and Comet…read more Recently looking to re-furbish kitchen, and was very disappointed in product selection. Think it also helped when MFI outlet was open, as another draw to Purdeys Industrial Estate.

This quite a new store so is nice and new and clean. The…read morebest thing about Homebase is the super home ware and kitchen bits department it is always full of items in the latest colours and just what you need including the ever popular must have item wire cake stands. The Christmas range is also rather good this year they have packaged the christmas light in handy little reusable boxes if I didn't already have hundreds of lights I would of bought a box. There is a gardening section out the back we always buy our Christmas tree from here and they are very good. Apart from that the rest of the shop is rather boring DIY stuff. There is a large always empty free carpark to park in.

For all your household needs. Personal experience of floor mat, bowl for kitchen sink, rubbish…read moresacks etc. Have a nice display of Christmas Lights out the front as you drive past. Only drawback is location, on busy road, make sure you use the Zebra crossing out the front to car park on the opposite side of the road.

This establishment is a model of how local shops used to be and should continue to be.It is a…read morehardware shop/Ironmongers that really caters for the local community.The range of goods it stocks is huge and caters for most peoples DIY needs plus cooks,pet lovers,gardeners and many more.The Staff are friendly and helpful and able to answer any queries you may have.Local does not neccessarily mean expensive and Potters pricing is competitive.Nothing seems too much trouble,if you purchased the wrong thing they will change it,and if an item is not in stock they will order it for you ASAP(usually within 24 hours).This is one of those shops that you can go into and browse around without feeling under pressure to buy.They have been in Hockley for over 100 years,so they must be doing it right - putting the customer first.

This is a huge store that has been open for just over a year at Fossetts Farm near Waitrose. It has…read moreeverything DIY / building you can imagine, and also aims to attract trade customers. As well as the huge main warehouse area it has a more open area at each end - one for plants and gardens, the other for wood, decking, slabs, drainpipes etc. This B and Q store is very well staffed by people who even if they don't know the answer to a question will try to find out, and are enthusiastic. This makes a pleasant change. There is a nice little cafe and toilets - great for me to sit in while my husband wanders (for what seems hours) looking at tools

New B&Q. Enormous. Has nearly anything you want. Staff surprisingly helpful for a big DIY chain…read more Prices are good. Lots of carparking. On same site as Waitrose and Comet.

The staff in this branch are always really helpful and know where everything is even when they move…read moreeverything round and hide stuff. The is a largish store selling things that are hard to get in town centres nowadays such as paint, bird food, garden items in the spring and summer, tools, cleaning products, curtain rails and loads more. I really like the bird food range it is very good value and includes peanuts, fat balls and sunflower seeds. Recently it has started to sell food which I find a bit strange as they only have room for a limited range.

This is a great store in the meadows, the staff are friendly and they cater for many people…read more The pet food isle is great for dogs, cats and birds. It is brilliant. If you know your prices the personal care section is great. This is a place tp by cheap cards and wrapping paper, look for Christmas lights and decorations as well as presents. The queues are quick and the staff are helpful. This is a great place to have a look around.

Super quality bedding, curtains and pillows etc The sales at Rosebys are fantastic and you can pick…read moreup bed sets for £5! They also sell some electrical goods as well as candles etc for home decoration. Unfortunately it would seem they are in financial trouble and might be closing down so grab a bargain while you can.

Denby really is a top quality name when it comes to pottery and crockery and can cost quite a bit…read moreof money to get a complete set although even at full price, worth it for the quality. How fantastic it is then to get an outlet branch of Denby. A lot of the items are, admittedly, classed as seconds, but to be honest this is because the standards at denby are so high. A 'second' at Denby would probably be fine for other factories! This is also a great store to get bargain end of lines as new lines are brought out great if you need a replacement for a broken piece at a bargain price! There is a great selection to be had at this store and items are beautifull organised and presented. If you love Denby this store is a must for you!

Debenhams Colchester store is set out across three floors, with clothing, homewares, gifts and…read morecosmetics. For clothing, there is always a broad choice for men, women and children, although some lines are rather expected. Although this is to be expected of designer brands, some of Debenhams' 'own-brand' clothing (e.g. Red Herring and St George by Duffer) are sometimes extortionately priced. However, staff are nearly always helpful and, if you are so inclined, you can get advice of cosmetics in that department and make use of the free Personal Shopper service. Therefore, I am giving Debenhams Colchester four stars out of a possible five.

This store is set on 3 floors and seems to stock everything the well dressed home and person needs…read morewether it's new undies of new curtains! Loads of different designers offering something for everyone. There's no parking but they do have underground access if you need to collect something heavy.