DESIGNS for a new public square which will bring al fresco dining to Colchester town centre have been revealed.

Colchester Council is working on plans to redevelop St Nicholas Square, in St Nicholas Street, which is just off the High Street.

The We Are Colchester partnership, which also includes Essex County Council and business leaders, has already secured funding for the revamp from the Government’s Town Deal fund.

Initial designs for the square, which is set to be complete this year, feature space for seating, market stalls and outdoor events.

Gazette:

  • How the finished St Nicholas Square could look

The pavements are set to be made wider with space for bars, cafés and restaurants in the area to have outside seating.

There will be more cycle parking and the whole of the area will be landscaped with a number of new trees planted.

Gazette:

  • How St Nicholas Square looks now

The roads system is also set for a total overhaul to create an area “less dominated by cars and traffic”.

Gazette:

  • How the roads in the area could work 

St Nicholas Street could become one way to traffic, with access from the High Street stopped but maintained from Culver Street East.

One of the existing loading bays will be maintained, with the rest set to go.

Emergency vehicles will still be able to access nearby Lion Walk Shopping Centre via the new square.

Gazette:

  • The plans from above 

Residents are being asked to help shape the proposals by taking part in a survey.

A webinar is also being held online on Tuesday, March 2, at 6pm, where the project’s designers and architects HAT Projects will present the plans and answer questions.

David King, Colchester councillor responsible for business and resources, said: “I am looking forward to the opportunity to present initial plans for what promises to be a very exciting new public space.

“This investment will be a real boost for retail and hospitality businesses and I am extremely pleased work on this project is moving forward.

“I would encourage local stakeholders and interested parties to join the webinar to hear more about the proposal for a safe and vibrant social hub in the heart of our town centre.”

Gazette:

  • St Nicholas Square will have space for seating, mark stalls and events

Hana Loftus, director at HAT Projects, added: “We have been working hard, behind the scenes, with businesses and user groups to develop designs that are both practical and beautiful.

“We now really want to hear what the wider community thinks – and we’ll then be refining the designs in response to feedback.

“St Nicholas’ Square is a wonderful and historic space but it has not been used to its full potential for some time, so we are excited to help it become a vibrant space for the future.”

Visit colchester.gov.uk/st-nicholas-square for more information or to sign up to the webinar.