CONSTRUCTION has reached the highest point of a new hotel in Colchester.

Topping out has been completed on Travelodge which is being built at the Northern Gateway Leisure Park.

It is part of a 200,000 sq ft leisure development is located south of junction 28 of the A12.

The 90-bed hotel is expected to be finished and ready to open in July.

Representatives from Travelodge, Colchester Council and contract HG Construction joined those involved in the project to mark the occasion.

Tony O’Brien, UK Development Director of Travelodge said: “This will be a fabulous new Travelodge hotel, with fantastic access from the A12 and into the town centre.

“We can't wait to open next year and provide visitors to the area with a great place to stay and enjoy all of the new facilities and the fantastic local attractions that the city offers."

Gazette: The 90-bed hotel is expected to be finished and ready to open in JulyThe 90-bed hotel is expected to be finished and ready to open in July (Image: Colchester Council/Seana Hughes)

David King, leader of Colchester Council, said: “Our congratulations to all the partners on reaching this significant milestone.

“It is great to see such progress ‘on the ground’, the results of significant investment into Colchester’s Northern Gateway which will provide new jobs, places to enjoy, and much needed commercial income to help support council services into the long term.”

The hotel will join Cineworld, Hollywood Bowl, Puttstars, Jump Street, Kervan Kitchen, Greggs, Wendy’s and Fastned.

Work started on the Northern Gateway site in March.

Conor Rice, managing director of HG Construction, added: “Reaching this stage on schedule is a result of an exceptional and dedicated project team.

“We look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with our partners and seeing this exciting scheme progress further over the coming months.”