A 'Roman Disney World', classic music in Colchester car parks and a covered shopping centre - new party leader's plan to revive Colchester

Darius Laws, who represents Castle ward on Colchester Council, has taken up the post with immediate effect after former leader Dennis Willetts stepped down.

As part of his plans, the new boss, who has acted as the party’s heritage spokesman, has pledged to create the new Roman attraction which would see visitors given a Roman life experience.

Similar - a scene from inside York's Jorvik's Centre 

That scheme would be part of planned development at Vineyard Gate, which up until now has stalled due to a lack of retailer interest.

The dad-of-one also has plans to overhaul the town’s “run down” council-run car parks, with classical music being played, and also pledged to make the car parks “smell cleaner than a 7-star Dubai hotel washroom”.

Mr Laws, who has been a councillor since 2015, said: “We have got to be very mindful of what’s happening across the country.

“Town centres are becoming places for experiences rather than exclusively shopping.

Failed - the much-anticipated Vineyard Gate scheme was scrapped 

“That includes craft shops, artisan shops, independent retailers and, of course, there has got to be some big chains in there.

“But I believe something like the what happens in the Jorvik Centre is more than do-able here in Colchester - a kind of Roman Disney World for families.”

Mr Laws admitted his plans are aspirational and do depend on his party gaining a majority when one-third of council seats are up for election in May.

At the moment, the Tory group is three seats short of an overall majority.

He also outlined a proposal which would see part of Red Lion Walk shopping centre covered to protect shoppers from the elements.

Mr Laws said: “It would create a quasi-indoor environment and it could make the area more appealing to premium retailers.

“There are reasons Colchester is passed over for the likes of Chelmsford. I’m not saying this would be a complete fix, but it is something which might help.

“For example, why, every year, is Colchester passed over by Adnams for their pop-up shops? I believe because they end up in covered centres.”

The leader also threw his weight behind plans to create a town centre Business Improvement District and said drivers of electric cars should be allowed to park for free in the town centre.

In a controversial proposal, Mr Laws also said council bosses should consider building new town centre public toilets and even consider charging people to use them to ease the impact on the public purse.

He added: “I know the criticism of me will be: ‘It’s a Conservative Government making it very difficult for local authorities,’ but there are more and more business rates coming, in more people paying council tax and more people with disposable income in their pocket .”

Mr Laws added: “I want to make Colchester an even better place.

“The number one issue is overdevelopment and congestion, however, I will also be focusing my attention on convincing people that a Conservative-led Council will focus on making much more of our unique heritage and improve Colchester’s appeal as a visitor destination.

“I’m passionate about helping to find a solution for Jumbo, lighting up our historic Roman City Walls, ancient monuments and putting the ‘Cool’ back in Colchester - Colchester was once named Coolchester.”

He added: “Not only will our car parks smell cleaner than a 7-star Dubai hotel washroom but they will be playing classical music.

“The public realm will be improved, we will go after absent landlords who allow buildings to stagnate, we will also proactively chase new business, leisure and retail opportunities.”