A FRESH bid could be made for Colchester to gain city status.

A competition for authorities to apply for the prestigious city status for their town has been launched to celebrate the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee next year.

It will be the first time the coveted status has been awarded in a decade, the Cabinet Office announced.

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Colchester has tried and failed three times to gain city status with the latest rejection being in 2012 when the honour was bestowed upon Chelmsford.

Nearly 2,000 years ago Colchester became the first captial of Roman Britain, but it has been classed as a town for centuries.

In 2019, Colchester Council changed the town’s strapline from Britain’s Oldest Recorded Town to Britain’s First City.

Paul Dundas, Colchester Council’s leader, thinks city status would boost tourism.

He said: “We need to look at the details but my initial reaction is we should.

“City status brings greater kudos and helps attract investment into the borough.

“What we have found with things like the Town Deal Fund is we are more successful if we have broad support from a wide range of people in the borough and work together.”

In March Colchester Council was awarded £18.2 million from the Government’s Town Deal Fund to help deliver economic growth for the area.

Mr Dundas added: “I would want to be sure there is support across the political spectrum in the council - from MPs, from residents and from businesses.

“If that is the case, subject to us meeting any criteria and ensuring there is no large costs attached I am positive on the idea.”

Colchester’s MP Will Quince said he was writing to Mr Dundas to ask him to look into submitting a bid. He said: “I think we have got to give it serious consideration.

“There are pros and cons but we should have a discussion and consult with residents.

“The pros include attracting investment and tourism.

“There are lots of people who go on city breaks but they do not go on town breaks.

“They like the buzz of going to a city with its attractions, all of which Colchester has, but it doesn’t have the title.

“There may be costs involved in making a bid and there are issues around identity with Colchester being Britain’s oldest recorded town.

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“But it is something we should definitely look at and then we need to make sure we take residents and businesses with us on the journey.”

The competition will close on December 8 and all valid entries will receive individual consideration on their merits, before recommendations are made to the Queen by ministers.