UNIMPRESSED residents have moved to pan plans for a renewed bid to make Colchester a city.

The proposal is expected to be set in stone at next Wednesday’s Colchester Council cabinet meeting, with the December 8 deadline for applications looming.

However, news of the latest attempt seems to have left the majority of Gazette readers bemused and frustrated.

On the Gazette’s Facebook page, Lynne Lynne said: “Colchester doesn’t deserve [it].

“Over the years the council has wasted money on ridiculous ideas, [they have] ripped the heart out the old Roman town.

“They should look at other cities, how they blend modern and old - not destroy old for new.”

Meanwhile, Tracey Luff-Johnson scoffed at the prospect of people coming to Colchester for a “city break”.

“I reckon at present, unless your idea of a break is to wander through a vast plethora of fast food joints, nail bars and barbers, this town falls way short of what they may be expecting,” she said.

“Honestly, it may be better to say its a good base to explore other nearby areas, like Dedham, Saxmundham, seasides etc.”

Read more >> Poll: Do you want Colchester to submit a bid for city status?

If the council’s bid is successful, it will be the first time the coveted status has been awarded in nearly a decade.

Colchester has tried and failed four times to be recognised as a city, with the latest rejection in 2012 when the honour was bestowed upon neighbours Chelmsford.

On our Facebook page, Leslie Mason added: “Colchester has become a total dump over the past few years - 40 years ago I would have supported this.

“No longer, they have ruined it -what have we got now?

“All family business gone, endless hairdressers and eating places, and now shops gone to be replaced by flats.

“The character has gone and it’s obvious by those flower boxes in High Street the market is gone too.”

Michael Wiseman branded the proposal a “waste of money”.

He explained: “How much will it cost to even get to the point where Colchester can be considered for city status? “This money could be spent on better things: housing for the homeless, drug services, community projects.

“Not just paying a load of civil servants to fill out forms and waste valuable money on a vanity project.”

However, Darius Laws, Colchester Council portfolio holder for economy, business and heritage, who is pushing the bid hard, said to be a city is Colchester’s “rightful” status.

“Does Colchester deserve the recognition of being a prestigious, urban city centre? Yes, absolutely,” he said.

“Some would argue we still are a city anyway.

“I can confirm, if approved , we will be putting in an excellent bid.”