Work to take place on Moot Hall roof at 'risk of collapsing'

A programme to stabilise and repair the ornate plaster ceiling of the historic hall, on the second floor of Colchester Town Hall, will be carried out after it was deemed “no longer safe”.

It is not yet known how much the work will cost.

Colchester Council said the hall will remain closed for the rest of the year due to “significant damage to the ceiling”.

The 260-capacity hall is traditionally used to stage the famous Oyster Feast, mayor-making and other civic functions, but it has been closed for safety reasons since September last year.

Planning papers for the latest work show there have been collapse risks highlighted by an assessment of the roof structure at the building.

Hirst Conservation carried out additional surveys to assess the plasterwork and reported: “The condition of the ceiling was found to be in a friable and unstable state with an inadequate support system in place to safely maintain secure hold of the ceiling.”

Repairs – work to make the Moot Hall ceiling safe has already begun (Image: Colchester Council) A spokesman for Colchester Council said: “The stabilisation and repair work to the fibrous plaster ceiling of the Moot Hall, a Grade I listed building, is being undertaken to ensure its structural integrity and the continued safe use of this historically-significant landmark building.

“During a recent inspection of the ceiling void, it was identified repairs are necessary to preserve the ceiling’s condition.

“At this stage, discussions are ongoing with accredited historical contractors to finalise the scope and detailed specifications of the work.

“As these discussions are still in the early phases, a precise cost estimate has not yet been determined.”