investment Archives - Invest Colchester

Colchester arts venues awarded £1.5m from Arts Council England

Posted on April 16, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

Colchester venues have received a £1.5m government boost for the arts from the government as part of a £127.8m package from the Creative Foundations Fund to address urgent infrastructure needs and the Museum Estate and Development fund to help museums undertake vital infrastructure works and improve the visitor experience.

Firstsite has received the most money out of any Colchester organisation securing £995,000 in capital investment from Arts Council England.

Stagetext, based at the Mercury Theatre, has also been awarded £183,356 to continue its work making culture accessible and Colchester Museums’ Natural History Museum has been given £499,477.

Image credit: Colchester City Council

Colchester car park upgrades underway ahead of major regeneration

Posted on February 5, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

A £1million upgrade programme for St Mary’s and St John’s car parks will begin next week, starting from the 20 October 2025.

These upgrades are an important contribution to Colchester’s wider regeneration. Ensuring that essential infrastructure is in place ahead of transformative projects like the St Botolph’s Quarter.

Read more … https://tinyurl.com/3dpdtrm9

CBC null Colchester car park upgrades underway ahead of major regeneration CBC null New entry barrier for St Mary8020Mary20Car2070 — Image credit: Colchester City Council

Vue brings major boost to Colchester with new nine-screen cinema

Posted on February 5, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

Colchester City Council is delighted to confirm that leading cinema operator Vue is coming to Colchester Leisure Park, following the signing of a lease agreement that marks a major milestone in the development of the Northern Gateway site.

Vue, the largest cinema exhibitor by market share in the UK, will take over the vacant cinema unit after a previous deal with Cineworld fell through in 2024.

Read more … https://tinyurl.com/4s5eszxs

CBC null Vue brings major boost to Colchester with new nine screen cinema Colchester20Park700 — Image: Colchester City Council

Heart of Greenstead regeneration project gets green light

Posted on February 5, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

Thanks to a £6.7 million investment from the Town Deal fund, which has already supported free bike provision for the community and steps to calm and manage traffic locally, the next phase of this highly anticipated project is becoming a reality. The new centre will make life easier for residents by providing access to essential services in one place, helping to improve wellbeing and strengthen community connections.

Work to transform Greenstead’s community centre and library into a modern hub for wellbeing, education and support is set to start next year. This follows completion earlier this year of work to extend and improve Hawthorn surgery.

The latest Indices of Multiple Deprivation (IMD 2025) show that the Greenstead area is among the most disadvantaged in England, which makes this investment even more important.

Read more … https://tinyurl.com/mrxbvk66

Artist’s impression of the proposed Heart of Greenstead site subject to change — Image: Colchester City Council. Artist’s impression of the proposed Heart of Greenstead site (subject to change)

Former High St M&S will transform into Minerva House in £2m investment

Posted on February 5, 2026 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

Developers City and Country are turning the former Marks and Spencer in High Street into Minerva House in a deal believed to be worth £2million .

The Gazette exclusively revealed the announcement and the plans and name, Minerva House, in March, after the Roman goddess.

Minerva House will include shops, restaurants and workspaces, and American chain Popeyes is set to open a branch there.

See more … https://tinyurl.com/y2fks63j

Western Awarded a £10M Contract for New Colchester Hospital Building

Posted on September 30, 2025 | by Editor | Leave a Comment

Western has been appointed preferred construction partner on a major new hospital project in Colchester. The new facility will provide Day Surgery Endoscopy procedures which include gastrointestinal endoscopy, colonoscopy, and other specialised procedures to the largest NHS organisation in the region.

Western Awarded a £10M Contract for New Colchester Hospital Building

Colchester Awarded £19.66m Funding for Levelling Up

Posted on January 20, 2023 | by web@colchester.gov.uk

Colchester City Council has been awarded £19.66m from the Government to support improvements to Colchester’s city centre.

The bid for the funding was submitted in partnership with Essex County Council and demonstrates the authorities’ commitment to tackling inequality and boosting the local economy.

The money will be spent on several high-profile projects that focus on improving the feel of the city centre, increasing footfall by creating a more attractive environment for visitors, reducing antisocial behaviour and tackling poor air quality and traffic congestion.

Image credit: ECC Highways

£10.7m Expansion of Parkside Office Development Underway at the University of Essex

Posted on June 21, 2022 | by web@colchester.gov.uk

Work has started on a major £10.7m office development at Parkside on the Knowledge Gateway research and technology park on the University of Essex’s Colchester Campus.

The Grade A, 41,571 sq. ft. office is the largest headquarters style office currently under construction in the eastern region and will be ready in 2023.

The building is designed to be as flexible as possible so it can accommodate a large anchor tenant or be sub-divided into smaller units.

Image credit: University of Essex

Canada Life to Forward Fund Turnstone Estates’ Leisure Development in North Colchester

Posted on December 20, 2021 | by web@colchester.gov.uk

Insurance and financial services company, Canada Life, has agreed to forward fund Turnstone Estates £65 million leisure development in Colchester’s Northern Gateway. As part of the deal Colchester Borough Council has taken an over-riding lease on the scheme with a full buy-back of the Leisure Park at the end of the term for £1. This will allow the council to manage future leisure provision within the town with outright ownership after 35 years.

Image credit: Colchester Borough Council

Mercury Theatre and Colchester Arts Centre Grant Awards

Posted on February 4, 2021 | by web@colchester.gov.uk

Two icons of Colchester’s cultural scene have been successful in being awarded funding from the Garfield Weston Foundation.

The Mercury Theatre has been awarded £100,598 and the Colchester Arts Centre, £100,000.

The money will support The Mercury’s reopening plans and The Arts Centre will invest in a reopening programme that will support artists and the local community alike.

Image credit: Colchester Arts Centre