Colchester city centre Archives

Colchester wins National Pubwatch of the Year 2025

Posted on February 18, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

Colchester Pubwatch has been awarded the top accolade of the National Pubwatch of the Year at a prestigious ceremony, sponsored by pub chain JD Wetherspoon, at the House of Lords.

The National Pubwatch Award, which is judged by members of the National Pubwatch Committee, recognises the work of local Pubwatch schemes and their efforts to provide safe drinking environments for customers and staff.

Colchester Pubwatch was rewarded for its proactive and forward-thinking approach to managing the night-time economy, including its partnership work with the Police, Business Improvement District and Colchester City Council.

Andy Starr, chair of Colchester Pubwatch, said: “Thank you National Pubwatch. Winning this award is a huge honour and is recognition of the teamwork and commitment shown by everyone involved in Colchester Pubwatch.

“Our aim is to make the City of Colchester a safe and welcoming place for all. This award celebrates the dedication of our members who work as conduits between authorities, licensees and many partners to ensure a safe night out for everyone.”

Image credit: Pubwatch.

Left to right: Vinnie Geaves and Andy Starr (Colchester Pubwatch, Nigel Connor (Wetherspoons), Lord Evans, Steve Baker OBE (National Pubwatch)

Chopstix Noodle Bar set to open new Colchester restaurant

Posted on February 12, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

Chopstix has confirmed it is moving into the city centre, adding to its 125-plus sites across the UK.

The noodle bar is expected to take over the former Starbucks site on Culver Street West, empty since October last year.

The new restaurant will bring more than 20 new jobs to the city when it opens in March.

Our Colchester BID Successful in Renewal Ballot

Posted on July 31, 2023 | by web@colchester.gov.uk

In June 2023, Our Colchester Business Improvement District (BID) launched their 2023-2028 Business Plan detailing their ambitions for the City centre in the next five years. As per the regulations for a BID, a renewal ballot was then launched for all eligible businesses to vote on the future of the BID.

The ballot launched on the 23rd June 2023 and ran until the 20th July for businesses to vote. Our Colchester BID are pleased to announce that the renewal ballot was successful and that the Business Improvement District will be in place for a further five years to deliver business support, projects and initiatives for the City centre.

The results were as follows:
• 45% of businesses voted
• 85% voted in favour of the BID by number
• 88% of rateable value voted in favour

Image credit: Our Colchester BID

Colchester Borough Council bids for £20m from Government’s Levelling Up Fund

Posted on August 11, 2022 | by web@colchester.gov.uk

A £20m funding bid to support improvements to Colchester’s city centre will be submitted to the Government’s Levelling Up Fund. The bid, led by Colchester Borough Council, in partnership with Essex County Council, supports both authorities’ pledge to tackle inequality and boost the local economy.

The focus will be on several high-profile projects to improve the feel of the city centre, attract more visitors and increase footfall by redeveloping the St Botolph’s area, reduce antisocial behaviour, and tackle poor air quality and traffic congestion.

A successful bid will kick-start a series of works to improve public safety and making it easier to walk or cycle into the centre, including a new road layout and removing underpasses. It would also create a new public realm space that helps build a traffic-free route from St Botolph’s Priory to Colchester Castle and Castle Park, while celebrating more of the heritage in the area, and providing a convenient new hub for storing and hiring bikes, e-bikes, e-cargo bikes and e-scooters.

The bid also proposes to complete the existing Town Deal kerbless route from Head Street to Queen Street, and to support businesses to improve shop fronts in the St Botolph’s area.

(image credit: Essex Highways)