A GRAND hall frequented by the great and the good of Colchester is to be restored to its former glory.

Colchester Council has agreed to renovate and repair the Moot Hall in Colchester’s Town Hall.

The Moot Hall has been the venue for major events, including the annual Oyster Feast, since 1902.

It also acts as a source of revenue for Colchester Council because it is available to hire for wedding receptions, parties, receptions, meetings and more.

Paul Smith, councillor responsible for culture and heritage, said the work would restore the impressive room and boost the authority’s revenue in the long term.

He said the work was being carried out now because the winter was traditionally a quiet time of year for bookings.

He said: “It’s an old building. The work has needed to be done for a considerable period.

“It’s going to regenerate the place and improve the look of it because there are some bits that are starting to look a bit dated.

“If we’re charging people these sums to hire the place, it has got to look good.

“By doing this, we will provide a better service to the people of the town, and it will generate extra income.”

Essex firm Bakers, of Danbury, which specialises in restoring and renovating listed buildings, is to be paid £260,000 to carry out stone repairs, a refurbishment of the Moot Hall and the rewiring of the Town Hall’s council chamber.

Consultants’ fees and the removal and storage of treasured paintings in the hall bring the overall cost to £285,000.

Work is due to start at the end of the month and take 14 weeks.

The move has the full backing of Colchester Council’s Conservatives.

Leader Kevin Bentley said: “I think it’s a good idea. The Town Hall is one of our most historic buildings.”

Local historian Jess Jephcott said the Moot Hall was an important part of a beautiful building. “The whole building is impressive because it was built at a time when there was a bit of money about.”

Last year, a campaign was launched to raise £250,000 to restore the Moot Hall’s century-old organ, which is in a poor state of repair.

Fundraisers have lodged a lottery application and organised events for the project, which is still well short of its target.