A DESERTED building in Colchester has become an epicentre for “chaos, drug-use and mayhem” and “needs to be demolished”, concerned residents have claimed.

Sheepen Place’s former office block has been empty since February after publishing firm Informa UK upped sticks and moved into work space at The Octagon.

The owners of the site, which has been vandalised with graffiti, have since tried to sell the structure and its surrounding land but admit there has been “little interest”.

In a bid to make the prospect of taking on the building more appealing, advice for a “residential scheme” has even been sought from Colchester Council.

Gazette: Empty - the former Informa UK building in Sheepen Place, Colchester (Image: Newsquest)Empty - the former Informa UK building in Sheepen Place, Colchester (Image: Newsquest) (Image: Newsquest)
Gazette: Abandoned - Concrete blockades have been placed at the main entrances of the siteAbandoned - Concrete blockades have been placed at the main entrances of the site (Image: Newsquest)
Some fear the abandoned site could become a cesspit for anti-social behaviour - but nearby homeowners have now said trouble has already arrived.

One resident, who lives in nearby flats which overlook the building, said: “We’ve had teenagers smash their way into the building, causing chaos and doing drugs.

“The other day it was mayhem with people in the car park throwing things at the building and homeless people are trying to get inside as well.

“It is disturbing and we are scared of what might happen if someone gets in and accidently lights something up and then it goes up in flames.

“This is usually a pleasant area but I do worry if I ever want to sell my flat the reputation the building is getting will put people off.

“We want it demolished but I’d even be happy if it became more flats or businesses – whatever, as long as it deters people from causing trouble there.”

Gazette: Tarnished - The building has been tagged with graffitiTarnished - The building has been tagged with graffiti (Image: Newsquest)
Gazette: Mess - A skip full to the brim with rubbish has been left outside the entrance to the buildingMess - A skip full to the brim with rubbish has been left outside the entrance to the building (Image: Newsquest)
In an attempt to deter trespassers, concrete blockades have been placed at the main entrances of the site and the glass doors have been boarded up.

Strutt & Parker, the estate agency attempting to sell the site, has now said the owner is keen to "dispose of the property" and is looking at new ways to attract interest.

A spokesman for the firm said: “Following an unsuccessful marketing campaign in 2022, little interest was shown in the existing building.   

"The property has remained on the market since through Strutt & Parker.

“The owner is keen to dispose of the property and believes it offers significant development potential most likely for a mix of commercial and residential use, utilising or replacing the existing building and making more effective use of the large car parking area.

"We are just commencing a new series of discussions with the council’s planning team to define suitable parameters for the re-use or redevelopment of the property which it is hoped can be used to inform a new marketing campaign to launch next year. “