THE news of Colchester’s newly-bestowed city status provided a “champagne breakfast” for the area’s businesses and cultural sector.

Colchester councillor Martin Leatherdale, centre manager for the town’s Lion Walk shopping centre, said he could confirm five new retailers would be “making an entrance to our future city”.

“This is an amazing achievement for Colchester, business, innovation and the future of our beautiful first city - It really is quite literally a champagne breakfast for our businesses this morning - they are ecstatic,” he said.

“The new opportunities this will unlock and the future potential for retail, trade, hospitality, tourism, enterprise, investment and prosperity should be harnessed by all.

“I am so proud of this moment not only from being a catalyst to leading business into the future, but also being a part of the history books in the town hall.”

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Simon Blaxill is chairman of We Are Colchester – a partnership set up to develop a long-term vision for investment in the borough.

He said the announcement will put the area “firmly on the map as a place to do business”.

He added: “[It will] provide even greater opportunity for recovery and growth.

“Business resilience and collaboration over the past two years have been impressive, with the council, businesses and other bodies working closely together.

“City status is recognition of what a great place Colchester is to live and work.”

Directors of Colchester’s theatres and art galleries said the awarding of city status proved the area is a “vibrant centre for culture, heritage and community spirit”.

Steve Mannix, executive director of the Mercury Theatre, said: “All of us here at the Mercury are delighted that Colchester has finally gained the great honour of receiving city status.

“It really goes to show Colchester continues to be an exciting place to live and work – a vibrant centre for culture, heritage and community spirit.”

Sally Shaw, director of Firstsite gallery in Colchester, said: “To be awarded city status recognises the unique identity of the people who live and work here, but also the high-quality art and culture radiating from here. There’s nowhere quite like it.

“To be a city really puts Colchester on the international map.”