Colchester City Council's Cabinet will next week discuss opportunities to further strengthen and enhance Colchester city centre when it considers a motion referred from Full Council.
The discussion will provide Cabinet members with an opportunity to review the extensive work already taking place across the city centre and consider what further action can be taken to support residents, businesses and visitors.
Our city centre is a key priority
As Britain's First City, Colchester city centre plays a vital role in the local economy, supporting businesses, attracting visitors and creating opportunities for residents.
The council already works with a wide range of partners to support the city centre, including INColchester Business Improvement District (BID), Essex Police, Colbea, Visit Essex, VisitBritain, Greater Anglia and many other key organisations.
This ongoing work includes:
- Over £40m in direct central government investment dedicated to ongoing regeneration projects.
- Millions from grants including the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
- Supporting independent businesses and start-ups through programmes delivered by Colbea at the Digital Forum.
- Working with INColchester BID to strengthen the city centre offer and attract investment.
- Supporting events and activities which draw people into the city centre.
- Maintaining street cleansing and environmental services.
- Joining the county-wide campaign to SCRAP fly tipping, helping to keep our communities clean and safe.
- Winning a £27,500 grant to tackle chewing gum on our pavements.
- Promoting Colchester as a visitor destination.
- Working with partner agencies to support community safety through Colchester Community Safety Partnership (CCSP).
UK wide economic pressures
While there are positive signs for Colchester city centre, the council recognises that businesses continue to face challenges linked to wider economic conditions, including rising costs, increases to the national minimum wage and ongoing pressures across the retail and hospitality sectors. Cabinet will consider how the council can continue supporting businesses and encouraging investment while working with partners to maintain a vibrant, attractive and welcoming city centre.
Building on positive progress
Cabinet's discussion comes at a time when recent footfall figures continue to show encouraging growth, reflecting confidence in Colchester as a place to shop, work, visit and spend leisure time. Lion Walk reached a major milestone in 2025, welcoming 10 million visitors for the first time and maintaining full occupancy across the precinct. New arrivals, including international brand Pret, highlight the city's growing appeal. Momentum is set to continue in 2026 with exciting developments at Minerva House, the former M&S unit. Alongside the arrival of international brands such as Skechers and Søstrene Grene, the recent sale of Culver Square demonstrates growing confidence in the long-term future of Colchester city centre.
Members will consider how current activity can be strengthened and identify opportunities for further investment and partnership working.
The Leader of Colchester City Council, Cllr Paul Dundas, welcomes opportunity for discussion, saying: "Our city centre is vital to Colchester's future, and this administration is firmly on the side of local businesses. We understand the pressures many are facing from rising costs and a challenging economic climate.
"While we cannot solve every national challenge, we can do everything within our powers to support businesses, encourage investment and create the conditions for success. That's why we continue to work closely with businesses, landlords and partners to strengthen the city centre and our wider retail and leisure destinations.
"There is much to be positive about, including major regeneration projects, strong occupancy rates and growing footfall. At the same time, we recognise concerns around cleanliness and anti-social behaviour. We are working closely with Essex Police and other partners to tackle these issues and will be announcing further measures soon to help keep our city centre safe, welcoming and attractive for everyone."
Focussing on the importance of working together to support the city centre Cllr David King, Deputy Leader of Colchester City Council, added: "The success of our city centre is built on partnership. The council works alongside businesses, retailers, community organisations, the BID, Essex Police and tourism partners, every day to support a vibrant and welcoming city centre.
"By working together, we can build on the positive momentum we're seeing, support investment, improve the experience for residents and visitors, and take a robust approach to tackling anti-social behaviour and other issues that affect confidence in the city centre."
The Cabinet meeting will take place on Wednesday 2 September 2026 at Colchester Town Hall. View the agenda and watch live via our YouTube channel.