Colchester Moxy Hotel bid at old Post Office now in doubt

Elysium Group, alongside its brand partner Marriott, was looking to launch a Moxy Hotel in the former Post Office building at the top of North Hill.

The latest revised plans outline a transformation of the site, which closed in 2018, into a hotel with 72 rooms split across four floors.

This would be in addition to a restaurant and reception facilities at ground floor level.

Luxury - a mock up image of the former plans for the Moxy Hotel from the rear of the old Post Office building (Image: N/A)

After originally being delayed last year, the plans were finally due to be decided at the beginning of this year but were delayed again.

Since then, plans for a Moxy Hotel elsewhere in the city centre have been given the green light.

These will see the beloved former Odeon site in Crouch Street become a 120-bed hotel.

Marriott bosses previously refused to commit to either site, however, following the news, the future of the possibility of Moxy taking over the former Post Office is now up in the air.

City centre Mark Goacher welcomed the plans to transform the Odeon, but stressed he would like the Post Office site bought back into use.

Pleased - city centre councillor Mark Goacher (Image: Newsquest)

He said: “Hopefully the Post Office plans can go ahead but I am not sure if Moxy wants both sites.

“I think it’s vital the Post Office site is brought back to use as soon as possible.

“A hotel pitched at younger guests would be good there as it’s a central site with lots of bars and restaurants nearby.

“If not then it would be great to bring back some retail there - it is a shame M&S didn’t want to keep a food hall in the city as that would have been a good location.

“However, a hotel, bar, restaurant or retail - all would be preferable to an empty building.”

Previous calls for brands to take on the site included John Lewis and Zara.

A decision is due on the Moxy plans for the former Post Office next month.