Colchester is the first authority in East Anglia to secure funding from the Government’s Local Full Fibre Network Fund.
Tag: Ultra Ready
High Court Rejects Colchester Northern Gateway Challenge
A major leisure-led development north of Colchester has received the backing of a senior judge, after an application by the Tollgate Partnership for a Judicial Review of the scheme was rejected at the High Court last week (31 May 2018).
Colchester’s momentum will not be lost despite missing out in Channel 4 relocation bid
Colchester Borough Council will continue to show that it has all the right ingredients to help businesses grow and flourish in the borough despite missing out on being one of Channel 4’s new creative hubs.
The council submitted a 20 page prospectus, developed in partnership with inward investment and business support agency INVEST Essex and the University of Essex, outlining why Colchester would be a great location for Channel 4 who are looking to move much of its production out of London to adopt a ‘multi-site operating model’.
However, neither Colchester nor the other submissions from the East Anglian area – Ipswich and Norwich – were on the shortlist announced today (30 May).
With more than 30 towns and cities around the UK entering the bidding process, it was clear that competition was fierce.
Colchester’s prospectus included three potential locations for one of Channel 4’s new bases: Colchester’s emerging Northern Gateway, the Knowledge Gateway at the University of Essex and the town centre which benefits particularly from Ultrafast Gigabit fibre Broadband.
Councillor Nick Barlow, Portfolio Holder for Commercial Services, said: “This is a blow to Colchester, but all is not lost. Colchester has all the right ingredients: a strong talent pipeline, Ultrafast Gigabit broadband, a competitive cost base, space for growth and a great network of existing companies which together are proving compelling in attracting new companies here.
“The important thing is that the partnership has been confident and bold in its bid which has put Colchester on the national map as a contender.
“We will not lose the momentum built up by the bid. We have the Mercury Theatre’s refurbishment and extension project, the redevelopment of St Botolph’s around Firstsite including a new Curzon Cinema.
“There is also the new £10m Innovation Centre at the University of Essex combined with strong interest in Colchester’s emerging Northern Gateway development proves that there is economic confidence in the town.”
Channel 4 will make its final decision on the three locations in October.
Colchester Borough Council launches new commercial companies
The provision of new, high-quality homes and the development of a low carbon heat network are among the benefits of three new commercially focused companies created by Colchester Borough Council. The council has set up the new companies to help maximise income generating opportunities in the face of ongoing cuts to its central government funding, to support services the Borough’s residents depend and rely on.
Colchester working with Government to boost business Broadband connectivity with £3,000 connection vouchers
Businesses in Colchester are now able to take advantage of a new Government scheme making vouchers of up to £3,000 available to pay for the installation of future-proof, ultrafast broadband.
Colchester’s future-proof Fibre Broadband Project shortlisted for European Award
Colchester Borough Council is delighted that its pioneering town centre dark fibre broadband project has been shortlisted for the 2017 Broadband Award. Deployed in 2016, the future-proof network offers businesses in the town centre up to gigabit speeds. The EU Broadband Award is run by the European Commission, and designed to showcase the best innovations in broadband technology across the member-states. Colchester has been short-listed from among 49 entries, in the category of ‘cost reduction and joint investment in a future-proof infrastructure’.
Colchester’s Positive Tourism Trend Continues
Colchester’s development as a visitor destination continues apace with five new hotels making an impact on numbers of trips, nights, spend and jobs.
Colchester Launches New Inward Investment Campaign: ‘Colchester Ultra Ready for Business’
Colchester is one of just a few places in the UK with Gigabit connectivity via Ultrafast Broadband. Combined with a low cost base, building availability, good transport connections and a great quality of life, Colchester is a compelling place for business.