QUESTIONS have been raised over the future of a former city centre post office after plans to transform Colchester's empty old Odeon site into a luxury hotel were submitted.

Elysium Group, a bar and restaurant operator based in Colchester, submitted plans last year to open a hotel at the former post office at the top of North Hill, Colchester.

A planning statement revealed the company was working alongside the international hotel chain Marriott to open the new hotel under its Moxy brand.

But those plans have been brought into question after Colchester Council received an application to transform the former Odeon cinema in Crouch Street, about 320 metres away from the North Hill site, into a new hotel. 

Once again, planning documents have revealed Marriott is eyeing up the site for its Moxy brand.

Gazette: Closed - the old post office at the top of North HillClosed - the old post office at the top of North Hill (Image: Google)

Marriott bosses, however, have seemingly refused to commit to either site. 

A spokesman said: “We are always looking for new opportunities to grow the Moxy brand, and Colchester would be a great location, but as of today, Marriott has not signed any agreements for a new Moxy development in this location.”

The submission of multiple bids has led to Colchester resident Becky Lawrence accusing Marriott of adopting a “scattergun approach” to planning applications and “hoping one of them sticks”.

“If the old post office is going to stay empty, I feel a John Lewis in its place would be nice and would save me travelling to Lakeside or Ipswich. We lost Debenhams so John Lewis would make up for it,” she added.

Gazette: Plans - what a new hotel at the old post office could look like from behindPlans - what a new hotel at the old post office could look like from behind (Image: N/A)

City centre councillor Steph Nissen, however, hopes another retailer makes a move for the old post office if a hotel doesn’t open in its place.

“I’m not a fan of empty buildings because they are a lost opportunity for a business, regardless of their size, to contribute to the city centre and offer employment opportunities, but they also become a target for anti-social behaviour,” she said.

“If Moxy wants the old Odeon and Zara wants to come and hang out in a historic building they’ll be welcome.”

Revised plans submitted earlier this year could see an extra storey added to the old post office.