COLCHESTER town bosses have been awarded £1million to transform two of the gateways to the town centre.

The Government cash, handed to We Are Colchester, will be spent on improvements to St Nicholas Square and the Balkerne Gate area around the Mercury Theatre.

Bids for further funding are set to follow in due course.

At Balkerne Gate, near the town’s iconic Roman Wall, a new space will be created for outside theatrical and creative activity to complement the Mercury Theatre’s £10 million revamp.

At St Nicholas Square a new space will be designed to complement Colchester Castle and other nearby attractions.

Significant investment has been made in the area with the St Nicholas Hotel, the conversion of the old Jack’s building and the ongoing £5.5 million refurbishment of the old Co-op building, where five new restaurants, two shops and 24 apartments are being created.

The scheme will involve the removal and repositioning of the old graveyard, replacement of loading bays and the creation of a new public square.

We Are Colchester chairman Simon Blaxill, said: “This money provides us with a fantastic opportunity to make Balkerne Gate and St Nicholas Square much more attractive and will encourage more people into the town centre at this difficult time.”

Colchester was one of 100 areas across the country chosen to bid for up to £25 million from the Government’s Town Deal fund.

Work was paused at the start of lockdown and the towns were told they could bid and receive £1 million of the money quicker.

Gazette:

  • The Balkerne Gate proposals

David King, Colchester Council’s business and resources boss, who also chairs the We Are Colchester advisory group, added: “This initial £1million will help us deliver a big improvement at both gateway to Colchester locations.

“We want a safe, vibrant and attractive social hub for people to meet and sit outside.

“This can only help nearby retail and hospitality businesses and the jobs they sustain and provide another attractive setting for Colchester residents and visitors.”

We Are Colchester’s bid for the remaining £24 million will be submitted at the end of October.

It expects to hear before February 2021 whether it has been successful.