COLCHESTER is falling behind the rest of the country because it does not have a town centre manager, it has been claimed.

John Walker, national chairman of the Federation of Small Business, said High Street traders are suffering without the role.

He called for Colchester Council and businesses to invest in the post.

Mr Walker said: “This is something is in place all over the country, but not in Colchester.

“There is a danger of falling behind other towns as we have seen evidence it works around the country.

Mr Walker said whoever held the post, funded by a mixture of private and public money, would focus on finding out what Colchester traders think would help the town.

The call comes after Mr Walker, a member of the Prime Minister’s Business Advisory Group, and Mike Cherry, Federation of Small Business national policy officer, toured Colchester town centre with regional Federation of Small Business chairman Iain Wicks. Mr Wicks said: “Introducing a town centre manager is something we have put to the council.

“There is a concern there is no focused activity on the part of the council on the High Street. It is not aware of how businesses are affected day to day.”

Paul Smith, councillor responsible for business, said if Colchester ever becomes a Business Improvement District, a town centre manager could be part of the deal.

A Business Improvement District sees traders pay an additional tax or fee to fund improvements.

Businesses have to agree to the scheme.

He said: “A town centre manager isn’t something the council wants to impose on the town.

“If however, a group of businesses come forward with a proposal it would be something the council would consider.”