A SAVIOUR has come forward to reopen Colchester’s historic Tymperleys for the next 125 years.

Nicholas and Sheila Charrington, owners of Layer Marney Tower, have exchanged contracts with Colchester Council to take on the listed 16th century building in the town centre.

Mr Charrington said his plans to convert Tymperleys into a cafe and museum hosting weddings, conferences and heritage events would play a small but crucial role in Colchester’s renaissance.

He said: “We’ve got plans coming up that I’d hope get approved for Jumbo. We’ve got the old cinema site and Firstsite is beginning to get itself grounded.

“There’s still the castle redevelopment and the Williams & Griffin work to come so there’s a heck of a lot going on.

“Tymperleys is a small part of that rebuilding of the town centre.”