COLCHESTER needs a top-of-the-range concert hall to attract the best bands and orchestras, it has been claimed.

The idea has been suggested by one of the Tory borough councillors behind the town’s ill-fated Visual Arts Facility.

Christopher Arnold, who was deputy leader of the council when work started on the Vaf, said he would like to see a purpose-built concert hall to keep up with the town’s growing population.

Currently, musicians perform in venues such as Charter Hall, the Swinburne Hall at the Colchester Institute or St Botolph’s Church.

But big name bands and orchestras rarely stop off at Colchester on their tours.

When Colchester band Blur wanted to play a mid-sized gig as part of their comeback tour last year, they chose the Cliffs Pavilion, Southend.

Mr Arnold said he envisaged by 2031, the forthcoming Visual Arts Facility would be a resounding success. He said: “By then, in my vision at least, we will have the newest purpose-built concert hall in the whole of the east of England.

“If I look at the composition of the youth orchestras, Colchester provides a disproportionate number of youngsters to youth orchestras.”

Nigel Hildreth, head of performing arts at Colchester Sixth Form College and musical director of the Colne Valley Youth Orchestra, said the town lacks a large-scale venue.

He said: “There’s nothing in this area that would actually compete, except London. That’s possibly the big problem really – that we’re just too close to London. People can get on the train and get to London in an hour.

“In these economic times, I would be worried about its sustainability. Maybe in a few years time it would work, if Colchester continues to grow.”

Anthony Roberts, director of Colchester Arts Centre, said the Charter Hall, which can seat 1,200 people, was big enough to host big events.

But he said: “People won’t go there because of its hideous ambience. You’ve got the badminton court on the floor and you’ve got its very functional architecture. I’m sure a new concert hall could work. There’s a huge, vibrant music scene in Colchester.”

A full council meeting spent an hour debating how Colchester, the nation’s fastest-growing borough, should look in 2031.

It is estimated the borough’s population will rise from around 181,000 now to 251,400.