BUSINESS leaders and councillors met to discuss the future of Colchester town centre.
Councillor Martin Leatherdale (Con, Lexden and Braiswick), who is also the manager of Lion Walk Shopping Centre, organised the meeting, which brought together key players.
The main focus of the meeting was to discuss ideas on how to enhance civic pride in the town centre and improve its appearance.
Mr Leatherdale said: "Colchester is a fantastic town, full of historic charm and modern city like culture and vibrancy, it’s a pleasure to meet with town centre leaders across various organisations that all play a fundamental part in keeping the town looking the best it can be.
"We have a huge range of combined resources at our disposal and it’s crucial to get these deployed in the right places, at the right times, doing the right things, in a combined and non-conflicting way.
"As part of the new council administration, I am focused to align and collaborate with these great organisations to further enhance the towns appeal.
"Civic pride is fundamental to Colchester’s culture and we will work hard together to be accountable, and to improve the look of the town centre collaboratively, championing faith in the town centre to be the best it can be."
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Colchester Council leader Paul Dundas was joined at the meeting by councillors Darius Laws, Sue Lissimore and Simon Crow.
Also in attendance were Colchester Council's town centre manager Samantha Lancaster, BID manager Sam Good and BID board member and CEO of The George Hotel Suki Dalai.
Mr Leatherdale said: "Town centres and high streets up and down the country are suffering from the effects of Covid 19 and a change in consumer shopping habits, however Colchester remains very resilient.
"I am very optimistic, despite the pandemic, the town centre is enjoying good occupancy of stores, fast growth, and many big meaningful projects are coming to fruition."
Mr Good added: "The BID is looking forward to continuing to elevate our town centre to the level it deserves in partnership with you all."
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