£1m secured for first stage of restoring Jumbo in Colchester

The cash comes from the Government’s Town Deal Fund and the amount was confirmed in Chancellor Rishi Sunak’s Budget on Wednesday.

The We Are Colchester partnership, which includes Colchester Council, Essex County Council, business leaders and community organisations, secured the £18.2million out of its full bid for £25million.

Part of the cash will go towards the first phase of restoring the Victorian water tower.

The Grade ll* listed heritage asset is set to get £1m as part of the ambitious plan.

Read more:

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• Budget 2021: Colchester secures £18.2m of its Town Deal bid
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Charity North Essex Heritage is working with Paul Flatman, the owner of the building, Colchester Council and others to save the landmark and bring it back into sustainable and community use.

Simon Hall introduces highlights of Jumbo summer

Simon Hall MBE, chairman of the charity, said: “This is wonderful news for Colchester and for Jumbo, which we know is a much-loved part of our town and really matters to people.

“The trust and the town need to grasp the opportunity with both hands to finally bring forward the restoration of Jumbo as an asset for the future of the town centre.

“Jumbo is such an iconic part of the Colchester landscape and dominates the Balkerne Gate entrance to the town, so we must create an integrated solution for the cultural heart of the town.

“The trust is very optimistic that, with the continued support of the town and the community, we will at last succeed.”

Plans - the Jumbo water tower is set to undergo a restoration

David Balcombe, trust director, added: “Recent survey work has highlighted that there are some significant structural concerns with Jumbo, but we have identified a way forward to halt the deterioration.

“Repair work will form the basis of the work necessary to enable the rejuvenation of the building.

“Jumbo has waited 35 years for this news.

“There has never been a better time to press on with a project that opens up the water tower for public use in a financially sustainable context.

“In doing so, Jumbo will help to revitalise the town as a visitor destination, adding a new dimension to the town’s wonderful visitor experience.

“The funding announced under the Town Deal is just what we need to prime the pump and draw in additional funds that are needed to complete the project.”

The council says the projects will draw on lessons learned from Covid-19 and aim to boost the town’s recovery.

It is hoped the Town Deal will bring in tens of millions more in investment from other sources.