AMBITIOUS plans have been unveiled to raise an extra £100,000 from Colchester Council-owned venues.

The Colchester Events Company has been launched to bring more entertainment to the town, and help raise cash for council services at the same time.

Colchester Council wants to bring together events, weddings and corporate hire under a new brand to develop commercial opportunities for its venues.

The project, to be financed out of existing budgets, will involve all ticketed events across the borough at council venues, including Charter Hall, Colchester Town Hall, Colchester Castle and the park among others.

Annie Feltham, Colchester Council’s councillor responsible for business, leisure and opportunities, said: “This is a new approach to events management in the town and I encourage people looking to hold an event in Colchester to contact the team via the new website.”

A new website, launching on October 17, and Facebook page launching next Wednesday, will follow together with an electronic newsletter.

Colchester Council is trying to make the most of its assets and raise more money to help reduce its reliance on Government grants or the need to increase council tax. Officers have looked at new opportunities and have concluded that facilities, such as Charter Hall, are not bringing in as much money as is possible.

It is hoped the new brand will encourage more events to be booked and bring more visitors to the town.

A spokesman said: “The events company, which is a department within Colchester Council, will operate within existing budgets and is a way of ensuring a joined-up approach for event and venue management services in Colchester, for customers and clients.”

It will be run by existing staff under the supervision of the operations manager for events.

The initial three-year project is expected to make £100,000 in the first year with the amount of profit rising in subsequent years.

A spokesman said: “It is part of an ongoing and developing business plan to provide quality entertainment in Colchester, through its venues, working with promoters and partners.”