Britannia Car Park will close later this year for redevelopment, so we’re sharing new information to help residents and visitors plan with confidence.
We’ve published an updated map of city centre parking, supported by analysis from Parking Perspective – an independent parking consultancy. They reviewed council‑operated car parks, private facilities and the Park & Ride to understand typical availability across the city.
Parking Perspective’s analysis combined:
- Site audits and capacity checks of major car parks using daily ticket data
- Spot counts during busy periods, including weekends
- Cross-checks against published capacities and any temporary restrictions
We know parking in Colchester isn’t “perfect”, but the data shows that drivers do have options. On busy days in November and December, 500+ spaces were typically available across the city centre, and often 1,000 or more, depending on the time of day. In total, there are around 4,000 public parking spaces in and around the city centre, including the 970‑space Park & Ride at Junction 28.
Councillor David King, Leader of Colchester City Council and Chair of Team Colchester, said: “With Britannia due to close for regeneration, it’s right that we share clear, independent information about where spaces tend to be available and how people can plan their visit. We also recognise that some people don’t love using multi‑storeys. That’s why we’re investing to make them safer, better lit, easier to navigate and more convenient - so that when you do choose them, the experience is as good as it should be.”
Why we’re sharing this now
Britannia’s closure is necessary, but we recognise it will cause disruption. We want people to understand the alternatives and plan ahead.
The independent study used real‑world checks, including on‑site counts and reviews of major car parks during peak periods. This gives a practical picture of where spaces tend to be available.
St John’s Car Park is reopening – and what it shows about city centre capacity
St John’s Car Park will reopen on Thursday, 5th March following the completion of Phase one of a £1m upgrade, delivered alongside improvements at St Mary’s. The work includes repairs to the structure, brighter lighting, improved fire doors, wider parking bays, an improved entry, clearer wayfinding and refreshed surfaces, making our multi‑storeys safer, brighter and easier to use.
While St John’s was closed, the city temporarily lost 645 spaces – yet the city centre continued to operate normally. Footfall remained steady, events went ahead as planned, and the independent analysis confirmed that hundreds of spaces were still typically available across the wider network, even at peak times.
This gives us confidence that the city can continue to function smoothly when Britannia closes. Although Britannia provides 369 spaces, this reduction is significantly smaller than the temporary loss during the St John’s improvements.
To welcome people back, St John’s will reopen with a special introductory offer. Get a four‑hour stay for only £2.50, saving you over 20% on the usual £3.30 price. Available until Sunday 5 April.
Your alternatives - at a glance
- St Mary’s – 577 spaces
- St John’s – 645 spaces
- Priory Street – 169 spaces
- Napier Road North & South – 100+ spaces
- Butt Road – around 120 spaces
Part of a bigger picture
Transforming Britannia into St Botolph’s Quarter forms part of the wider City Centre Masterplan delivered by Team Colchester and We Are Colchester, with government investment. More than 15 major projects – including improvements at St Botolph’s Circus, restoration of Jumbo, the new Digital Forum and upgrades to public spaces - are creating a more vibrant and future‑ready city centre.
Find out more: www.colchester.gov.uk/citycentre