COLCHESTER will receive £18.2 million in Government funding to help regenerate the town centre and boost the borough’s recovery from Covid.

Chancellor Rishi Sunak confirmed today the We Are Colchester partnership will receive £18.2 million of its £25 million bid for cash from the Government’s Town Deal Fund.

The cash is set to be used on a variety of projects in the town centre and further afield, including the restoration of Holy Trinity Church, the first phase of the regeneration of Jumbo and the creation of new community facilities in Greenstead.

Jumbo water tower, home to birds, including Falcon..
 

Investment will be made in creating a new digital skills hub at the Wilson Marriage Centre and cash will go towards transforming facilities for young people.

Money will also be invested in walking and cycling links in the town centre, 5G rollout and public realm improvements at places like St Nicholas Square.

aColchester Council leader Mark Cory outside Colchester Castle

 

Mark Cory, leader of Colchester Council, said: "This funding focusses on things which really matter to local residents and businesses.

"This includes town centre improvements, more investment for the heart of Greenstead, facilities for younger people, improved digital provision including 5G and physical infrastructure for walking and cycling.

"This is a fantastic boost for the borough and is testament to the hard work of many partners.”

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The projects will aim to help the town's recovery from the Covid-19 crisis and will attract further outside investment in the tens of millions of pounds.

Business boss David King said: "This is just the beginning of a new, exciting chapter for the town.

"The timing could not be better. We soon will emerge from the health and economic crisis and these and other town centre projects will help Colchester adjust and recover."

St Nicholas Square Colchester

 

Simon Blaxill, We Are Colchester board chairman, added: "It will make a huge difference to people - generating jobs, offering further opportunities to upskill and delivering improved community facilities.

"These projects promise to make positive difference right across the borough.”

Tony Ball, Essex County Council cabinet member for Economic Development, said: “This is great news.

"We have established a bold vision that will help the town to embrace the future, with a strong package of investment programmes and projects around active travel, employment and skills, regeneration, young people, heritage and culture.

“We look forward to continuing the work with the community, local stakeholders, Colchester Borough Council and Central Government to take forward the Town Deal forward and the many opportunities it offers.”

The next steps will see We Are Colchester agree heads of terms with the Government on the funding and complete scoping work on the projects.

Further public consultation on the plans will take place.