COUNCIL bosses say they are "keeping a close eye" on how quickly the proposed St Nicholas Square development is moving along.

The square is planned to be created outside Three Wise Monkeys and the proposed new precinct in the former Townrow building, beside Primark.

But during a meeting of the Colchester Council revolving investment fund committee, deputy leader Tim Young questioned the officers on "rumours" of delays to that project as a result of stalling from the Co-op, which owns the former Townrow building.

Holly Brett, head of development at the council-owned Colchester Amphora Trading Ltd, told the meeting she would "keep a close eye on what the Co-op is doing on that site".

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She also told members Colchester-based HAT projects have been tasked with creating the new square space and the firm has been in contact with both The George, which has taken over St Nicholas House, and the Co-op on the scheme.

Plans have been approved for five new restaurants and two shops created in the former Townrow building while Three Wise Monkeys is set to expand into the former Jacks building as soon as essential work to the building is carried out.

That work, to bring the building up to standard, will be paid for by Colchester Council, which owns the building. 

Three Wise Monkeys will then pay for its own fit-out of the building.