COLCHESTER’S new magistrates’ court building is on course to open on April 2, it has been revealed.

Her Majesty’s Court Service has confirmed the complex at St Botolph’s Circus will open on time and on budget.

The new building houses four magistrates’ courts and a youth and family facility.

It will overlook a town square, which has not yet been built.

When the courthouse won planning permission, its distinctive design split opinions and led it to being dubbed “Marmite House”.

Colchester’s Lib Dem MP Sir Bob Russell said five Tory councillors who voted for it should be named and shamed on a plaque in the town.

Andrew Ellis, one of the Tories who supported the planning application, said he felt vindicated by the positive response to the building. He said: “I’m comfortable with the decision we made and I think it’s an asset for the town. No one I’ve spoken to has had any problems with it.

“I’d be perfectly happy if Mr Russell wants to have a plaque made and have my name added to it.”

Sir Bob insisted people he had spoken to did not like the building.

He said: “To my mind the building is ugly, out of scale and out of keeping. It comes to something when we have better looking multi-storey car parks, such as the nearby Osborne Street one facing Southway, which is more attractive and better designed than the new courthouse, which should be a prestige civic building.”

The complex replaces courts in Colchester and Harwich.

Colchester Council has invited anyone interested in using the current Colchester Magistrates’ Court in the town hall, to get in touch.

Harwich Magistrates’ Court is to be sold on the open market.