A SHOPPING centre has been transformed into a kaleidoscope of colours with a canopy of butterflies and bees.

The ceiling of the Culver Square shopping centre in Colchester has been adorned with more than 200 of these acrylic insects which are intended to complement the annual summer planting.

Colchester Council approved plans for the temporary artwork earlier this year.

The artwork will be suspended by overhead wires across Shewell Walk until September.

Colchester’s Business Improvement District supported the installation via their Create Fund to help drive people to the city centre this summer. 

This follows the centre installing a willow crown in the square to celebrate the coronation of King Charles last month.

It was especially meaningful as King Charles visited the city in March to celebrate Colchester being awarded city status.

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As for the willow crown, Deb Hart and Graham Mayes were behind the impressive structure in a joint effort.

Ms Hart designed and built the bespoke crown while Mr Mayes, who is a welder by trade, built the frame.

The initial sketch matched the St Edward’s Crown, which the King wore during his official Coronation.

From there, Mr Mayes built the metalwork and melded the frame to meet the design’s precise specifications.

To finish it off, Ms Hart used four types of willow to help give the crown its distinctive look.

Gazette:  David Robertson with predecessor Derek Ashbee David Robertson with predecessor Derek Ashbee (Image: Newsquest)

David Robertson, Culver Square shopping centre manager, said “We enjoy being able to display these unique installations in our city centre, where our residents and visitors can enjoy something unique and colourful over the summer months.”

The canopies are on display in Culver Street West and Sir Isaac’s Walk.

In previous years, Colchester Council approved plans to hang 200 brightly coloured umbrellas above Sir Isaac’s Walk.

Spanning a distance of 87 metres, the lowest umbrellas were 5.7m above floor level to allow vehicles to continue using the road.

As for the current canopies, Culver Square encourage visitors to take selfies and pictures using the hashtags #inthesquare and #butterfliesandbeesinthesquare.

For more details visit: www.culversquare.co.uk