From restored heritage and improved routes to a livelier city centre and practical support for wellbeing and housing, 2025 brought changes residents could see and feel. These highlights reflect our Strategic Plan – A City Fit for the Future – focused on places people enjoy, services that work, and investment that benefits daily life.
Making the spaces we share special
St Nicholas Square reopened after a £1.6 million transformation – cafés spilling onto the street, live music, and a welcoming space for families and friends to catch up.
A short walk away, the Digital Forum reached topping‑out: a £6.25 million hub for creatives and tech entrepreneurs with affordable studios, co‑working and 10Gbps connectivity – in the heart of the city.
The Moot Hall ceiling, part of our Grade I Town Hall, was fully restored and now looks fabulous. We also reopened the Middle Mill footbridge in September, restoring a vital pedestrian and cycling link across the river – especially welcome for residents and visitors who faced lengthy diversions.
Heritage restored
The Natural History Museum reopened after a year‑long closure. Work is starting on the Jumbo Water Tower restoration – supported by the city council – with £8 million from the National Lottery Heritage Fund and a £550,000 grant from Historic England, so we can look forward to this once‑at‑risk landmark becoming a great public heritage experience in the years ahead.
Keeping Colchester active and well
We widened health and wellbeing offers you can access locally. Leisure World’s community outreach brought free multi‑sports for children and gentle, inclusive activity for over‑65s into Greenstead, reducing barriers of cost, confidence and transport. Residents referred by GPs and social prescribers completed a 12‑week Active Wellbeing programme, reporting stronger mobility, weight loss and improved confidence.
We also made active travel easier: a ‘try before you buy’ e‑bike and e‑cargo bike scheme let people test low‑cost, healthy journeys; a new cycle map and upgraded Cycle Colchester website gave riders clearer routes and practical tips; and a secure cycle shelter at Leisure World supported cycling to and from the site. Walk With Words links St Botolph’s, the Hythe, the University of Essex and Greenstead with simple wayfinding posts and local stories.
A city you can linger in
At Northern Gateway, Vue announced a new nine‑screen cinema for the Leisure Park. In Lower Castle Park, the Colchester Events Summer Series brought eight major open‑air concerts and 65,000 visitors, showcasing Colchester to the wider region.
Local talent was encouraged by our Cultural & Creative Events Fund, which awarded £30,000 to resident‑friendly projects across neighbourhood venues, while Colchester Castle earned Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice 2025 (top 10% worldwide).
Thousands more enjoyed year‑round Colchester Events, alongside programmes from our partners at Firstsite, the Mercury Theatre and Colchester Arts Centre.
Looking after those in need
We extended the innovative use of former private student accommodation as temporary housing for those facing homelessness – a more suitable and dignified alternative to hotels/B&Bs – giving families self‑contained space with kitchens, laundry facilities and tailored support while they move toward permanent homes.
Looking ahead, we fast‑tracked affordable housing at Northern Gateway and made important progress on the Heart of Greenstead project, with planning permission secured and works to begin in 2026.
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “This was a year of change for the better: a buzzing city centre where people want to spend time, and investment residents can see and feel. From the new St Nicholas Square to our culture, events and concerts, Colchester is a city recommended by many. We are caring for our residents and shaping our future.”