In advance of the proposed redevelopment of the eastern side of the Williams and Griffin department store, seven test-pits were excavated to ascertain the depth and level of survival of archaeological deposits beneath the existing store. In addition, four boreholes were undertaken by geotechnical investigators and monitored and recorded by a CAT archaeologist. The investigations took place within the store, on surrounding land, and in the adjacent Colchester Borough Council (CBC) car park.