Colchester Business Directory 2011-2013: Contains Complimentary CD-ROM listing thousands of Local Businesses pot

Colchester Business Directory 2011-2013
3
Colchester Borough Council
www.colchester.gov.uk
Contains Complimentary CD-ROM listing thousands of Local Businesses.
JOHN
FOWLERS LLP
SOLICITORS
Incorporating Sharon Coomber
HELPFUL FRIENDLY ADVICE
ON ALL ASPECTS OF THE LAW
Domestic & Commercial Conveyancing Lasting Powers of Attorney
Matrimonial & Family Civil & Commercial Litigation
Wills & Probate Landlord & Tenant
Court of Protection Criminal Law
Capacity Issues/ Elderly Law Matters Mental Health Law
Employment Law Personal Injury
Estate Planning Deputy Applications
www.johnfowlers.co.uk
COLCHESTER
01206 576151
Town Hall Chambers
St Runwald Street
Colchester CO1 1DS
BRIGHTLINGSEA
01206 302694
12 Victoria Place
Brightlingsea
CO7 0BX
Community
Legal Service

Criminal
Defence Service
01206 251718

plantstyle.co.uk
Design and consultation
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Construction and maintenance
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Arboriculture
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Specimen tree planting
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Project Management
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Professional Landscape Contractors
You have a choice of three types of survey:
• The Homebuyer Survey
* The Building Survey (formerly known as a structural survey)
* Limited reports
• Services for homebuyers and homeowners
• Services for landlords and tenants
• Services for lenders, insurers and companies
A consistent range of
first-class surveying

services
We offer specialist surveys
tailor made to suit
your requirements
What’s a house really worth, and
which survey
should you choose?
Suite 6 The Centre
Colchester Business Park
Severalls Lane, Colchester
Essex CO4 4YQ
t: 01473 286820
www.pearcyblackman.co.uk
Homebuyer Reports
Building Surveys
Limited Reports
Valuation Service
pearcy
blackman
chartered surveyors
p
Pearcy Blackman is an independent, local partnership of chartered
surveyors with an established reputation for speed, accuracy and
value for money.
Our reputation is based on more than 25 years in business, working with banks,
building societies, insurers, home buyers, landlords, tenants, local authorities,
property developers, housing associations and companies.
You can draw on the skills and resources of professionals with different specialisms who
provide a comprehensive range of survey and valuation services for all types of residential and
commercial property.

AGM Metalwork Ltd. (formerly Renzland Forge Ltd)
Are you looking for a reliable, experienced and reasonably priced metalwork fabricator?
We may be able to help, especially if you require something unusual which involves close liaison.
In addition to all our range of Bespoke Built Gates, Railings, Balconies, Barriers & Bollards, Balustrades,
Automation and Access Control, that you may know us for!
We can offer many items and services that may be of interest to you,
Such as: Escape/Conventional and Spiral Staircases Structural and Steel Frameworks for Orangeries,
Extensions and Buildings, Gazebos and Garden Metalwork, Bespoke Steelwork, Steel Security Doors, Door and Window Grilles.
We can provide a full installation, setup and maintenance service
We work closely with our customers to ensure that their requirements meet their expectations.
To discuss your requirements or to arrange a free site survey give us a call 01206 210212
www.agm-metalwork.co.uk
4
Published by:
Burrows Communications Limited
Head Office: Publicity House,
106 Stafford Road, Wallington,
Surrey SM6 9AY
Tel: 020 8773 3000 • Fax: 020 8773 8888
Email:
Web: www.burrows.co.uk
Our Advertisers:
We gratefully acknowledge the support
of all the firms whose advertisements
appear in these pages. Without their
help we would not be able to produce
this directory. As a reciprocal gesture
we have pleasure in drawing the attention
of our readers to their announcements,
but wish to make it clear that Colchester

Borough Council can accept no
responsibility for their products or
services advertised.
Colchester Business Directory 2011-2013
3026384
As the name suggests, we are not just a Bodyshop or
Mechanical Services company, we are your Complete
Automotive Solution.
We pride ourselves on offering outstanding customer
service, ensuring that you are supported and assisted
through difficult insurance claims, have assured quality
workmanship and are completely satisfied with all aspects
of our service, at all times.
Vehicle Repair Solutions is a trusted name in vehicle
accident repairs, mechanical repairs and de-fleeting
services. We have a range of repair services for every type of
customer, including private motorists, fleet customers, car
dealerships, insurance companies and brokers. We have a
team of highly trained professionals, from our customer
care team to our workshop technicians.
Our Car Care Services include:
Vehicle Refinishing
Full Accident Repairs
Cosmetic SMART Repair
Garage Services
MOTs – Motorbikes, Cars, Vans & Minibuses
Accident Management Services
Complete De-fleeting & PDI Services
End of Lease Specialists
Valeting

Sales Photography
Storage & Transportation
Vehicle Repair Solutions Ltd
• Your Car • Your Choice • Your Complete Automotive Solution
Email:
www.vehiclerepairsolutions.com
Unit 1-2 Rowhedge Business Park
Fingringhoe Road
Colchester CO5 7JH
6
7
Contents
9 Introduction
11 About Colchester
13 The Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015
19 Colchester - the Perfect Place for Business
22 Tourism in Colchester
23 Colchester - Ahead of the Game
24 Networking in Colchester
25 Contact the Council
26 Advertisers’ & Entrants’ Index
27 Advertisers’ Directory
For full directory listings please see CD-ROM on inside back cover or visit
www.burrows.co.uk/colchester
• Town Hall
• Lion Walk Shopping Centre
• View through Balkerne Gate
3026385
DTE
DTE

SCAFFOLDING &
SAFETY NETTING LTD
SUPPLY - ERECT - HIRE
SUPPLY - ERECT - HIRE
INSURANCE WORK
INSURANCE WORK
CITB REGISTERED
CITB REGISTERED
& QUALIFIED
& QUALIFIED
COMPETITIVE RATES
COMPETITIVE RATES
24 HOURS - 7 DAYS
24 HOURS - 7 DAYS
Commercial & Domestic
Scaffolding & Safety Netting
www.dtescaffoldingandsafetynetting.co.uk
www.dtescaffoldingandsafetynetting.co.uk
01206 331282
01206 331985
COVERING EAST ANGLIA
Fax: 01206 330309
Fax: 01206 330309
Email:

Mobile:
Mobile:
07798 821511
07798 821511
07786 914428

07786 914428
8
The last directory has been
successful in bringing Colchester
businesses together with
contractors, not just locally but also
nationwide. The directory is also
used as an inward investment tool
to showcase the diverse businesses
that Colchester has to offer and its
broad range of business support
services.
All local businesses have the
opportunity to have a listing free
of charge, to benefit from the free
marketing and opportunities that
this offers. Although this directory
does not claim to contain the
details of every Colchester
business, thousands of them have
already signed up and are listed
on the enclosed disc.
If you would like to include your
company, please go to
www.colchester.gov.uk/business
and click on the button to link to
the Business Directory, where you
can have your details added.
We do hope you find this guide
a useful tool and we encourage all

Colchester’s businesses to explore
the wealth of business services
available to them in the Borough.
Whether your company needs to
seek financial support and advice,
find out about procurement
opportunities or somewhere to
network, then this directory has the
contacts and information for you.
This directory is entirely self-
financing, with no cost for the
local taxpayer.
All enquiries concerning this
directory should be addressed
to the Enterprise and Tourism
Team at:
Colchester Borough Council
Rowan House, 33 Sheepen Road,
Colchester CO3 3WG
Tel. 01206 282107
Fax: 01206 282711
Email:

www.colchester.gov.uk
Introduction
Welcome to the third edition of the Colchester Business
Directory – a free service to all businesses in the Borough
provided by the Enterprise and Tourism Team at Colchester
Borough Council, to encourage trading amongst local businesses.
9

• High Street
• Town Hall
• Colchester Business Park
“All local businesses
have the opportunity to
have a listing free of
charge and benefit from
the free marketing and
opportunities that
this offers. ”
3026608
UNIT 3, 30A STRAIGHT ROAD, BOXTED, COLCHESTER,
ESSEX CO4 5HN
Phone: 01206 273363
Email:
www.essexconcreteandfencing.com
At Essex Concrete & Fencing we are the leading fencing
suppliers in the area.
Here at Essex Concrete & Fencing we manufacture all of our fencing
panels and concrete posts etc at our site in Boxted near Colchester.
We have the widest range of fencing products in the area including field
gates, stock wire, post and rail, fencing panels and concrete products.
All our Customers are welcome to see our products at our premises.
Some of our competitors sacrifice quality for price, WE DON'T.
ESSEX CONCRETE AND FENCING
ESSEX CONCRETE AND FENCING
ESSEX CONCRETE AND FENCING
BEST PRICES, LARGE STOCKS
FENCING PANELS TIMBER FENCING CONCRETE POSTS STOCK FENCING
FULL LANDSCAPING

AND FITTING
SERVICE AVAILABLE
10
• Culver Square
• Dedham Village Sign
• Garrison HQ © crown copyright
11
Colchester is not just a town,
but a thriving regional centre.
A diverse and growing
Borough, with a vibrant
town centre, it is becoming
increasingly recognised as
a place where things are
happening, a successful place,
an old historic town, but
increasingly a young city in
the making, one receptive
to new ideas and challenges.
Colchester is the perfect place
for business.
Location
The Borough of Colchester
lies in a key gateway location
between the UK and Europe,
with access to Europe via
excellent links. Harwich
International Port is just
20 miles (34km) away and
Stansted, London’s third largest

airport only 30 miles (48km).
With access straight onto the
A12, London is only 62 miles
(100km) away. This makes
Colchester the perfect location
for living, working, studying
and doing business.
We work with many partners
such as the Haven Gateway
Partnership to ensure that
we deliver a prosperous and
sustainable place. And that’s
what matters to us. We work
hard to develop a vibrant
future, to create a hotspot
for businesses in the eastern
region.
Looking ahead, Colchester’s
international links and digital
strategy will provide even more
opportunities in the global
marketplace, making Colchester
a worldwide brand.
About Colchester
C
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e
M
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h
P
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COLCHESTER
COLCHESTER
COLCHESTER
HARWICH
HARWICH
HARWICH
STANSTED
STANSTED
STANSTED
LONDON
LONDON
LONDON
BIRMINGHAM
BIRMINGHAM
BIRMINGHAM
LEEDS
LEEDS
LEEDS
GLASGOW
GLASGOW
GLASGOW
EDINBURGH
EDINBURGH
EDINBURGH
BRADFORD
BRADFORD
BRADFORD
MANCHESTER
MANCHESTER

MANCHESTER
SHEFFIELD
SHEFFIELD
SHEFFIELD
CARDIFF
CARDIFF
CARDIFF
BRISTOL
BRISTOL
BRISTOL
LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL
LIVERPOOL
SOUTHAMPTON
SOUTHAMPTON
SOUTHAMPTON
PARIS
PARIS
PARIS
AMSTERDAM
AMSTERDAM
AMSTERDAM
Distances from Colchester to:
London . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .62 miles (100km)
Amsterdam . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .173 miles (279km)
Paris . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .219 miles (353km)
Edinburgh . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .330 miles (532km)
Munich . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .539 miles (868km)
Copenhagen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .543 miles (874km)
Prague . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .602 miles (970km)

Madrid . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .824 miles (1,326km)
Rome . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .879 miles (1,415km)
Welcome to Colchester. Colchester has over 181,000
residents, 5,500 registered businesses, significant
educational institutions (including the University of
Essex) and is a garrison town with a rich heritage.
12
Vat registered Colchester Colchester Eastern GB
businesses (2007) (numbers) (%) (%) (%)
Registrations 505 9.3 9.6 10.2
De-registrations 435 8.0 7.2 7.3
Stock (at end of year) 5,445 - - -
Source: BERR Vat registrations/deregistrations by industry
Source: Office for National Statistics
Statistics
Total population Colchester Eastern GB
(2010) borough
All people 181,000 5,831,800 60,462,600
Males 90,200 2,881,000 29,758,900
Females 90,800 2,950,800 30,703,700
Source: ONS mid year population estimates 2010
Working age Colchester Colchester Eastern GB
population (2009) borough % % %
All people 121,700 67.2 63.7 64.8
Males 61,900 68.6 64.7 65.8
Females 59,800 65.8 62.7 63.8
Source: ONS mid year population estimates.
Notes: % is a proportion of total population.
Earnings by Colchester East GB
residence (2010) borough (Pounds) (Pounds)

(Pounds)
Average gross weekly 518.1 523.3 501.8
full time wage
Source: ONS annual survey of hours and earnings.
About Colchester Continued
This strategy is aimed at focusing
delivery by the Enterprise and
Tourism team and its partner
organisations, to deliver the best
services possible and achieve a
sustainable and strong economy.
All of this makes Colchester the
perfect place for business.
The key priorities of the plan are to:
Improve business
performance
• Increase business formation and
survival to sustain and develop
local employment
• Encourage innovation and
improve productivity to improve
the overall competitiveness of
Colchester and the surrounding
area
• Increase environmental
sustainability to manage the
environmental impact of
Colchester’s economic activity
• Develop new markets to sustain
and develop local employment

and encourage entrepreneurship
• Secure funding and/or
investment for initiatives to
improve business performance
• Support and retain key
companies to preserve key skills
in the economy and manage the
local impact of globalisation
Wilkin & Sons Ltd have been manufacturing premium
quality food products in the Colchester village of
Tiptree since 1885. The company recognises that
all its activities, products and services have an impact
on the environment and therefore is committed
to a programme of continual improvement in
environmental performance, prevention of pollution
and compliance with environmental legislation.
More than one third of sales are to overseas markets, the strongest being
Germany, USA, Japan and France. Most five star hotels in Britain serve
Wilkin’s products, as do top airlines such as Virgin Atlantic (Upper Class
only) and the best known cruise ships. Wilkin & Sons are unique in holding
Royal Warrants, which they now have for all products, receiving their first
100 years ago.
13
The Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015 –
The Way Forward
Over 125 years in Colchester…
Colchester Borough Council has a new 5 year Economic Development Strategy listing its
priorities and actions up to 2015.
Colchester Business Park
Support priority sectors

• Develop creative industries -
to support the existing creative
industry and retain creative
talent locally
• Develop tourism - to realise the
tourism potential of Colchester
and the surrounding area in
terms of improved employment
opportunities and visitor choice
• Develop environmental
industries - to contribute to the
country’s global obligation to
manage the environmental
impact of human activity
• Promote social enterprises to
build local capacity and capability
for the wider benefit of society
• Develop networks and supply
chains to retain business in the
local economy
• Promote procurement
opportunities to sustain and
improve local productivity
The Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015 –
The Way Forward Continued
• Castle Park Gardens
• Wind Farm
14
Creative business in Colchester
Colchester Borough Council has purchased the old

Police Station building on Queen Street in the centre
of town. This will be transformed into a pioneering new
creative business centre. The centre, purchased with
a combination of external and developer funding, is
a pivotal element in the creation of a Cultural Quarter
for Colchester and realisation of the wider creative
economy hub. The facility will provide a dynamic and
supportive environment in which creative businesses
can thrive, helping to attract and develop a critical
mass of talented people and enterprises. The centre
will provide work space and will offer networking,
training and mentoring opportunities for smaller firms.
“This strategy is aimed
at focusing delivery by
the Enterprise and
Tourism team and its
partner organisations,
to deliver the best
services possible and
achieve a sustainable
and strong economy. ”
Raise skills and reduce and
address worklessness
• Address barriers to work to
release local skills, talent and
creativity into the economy
• Improve basic skills and
employability to facilitate
younger people’s contribution
to the local economy

• Encourage local recruitment and
employment opportunities to
maximise the skills and potential
of the local workforce
• Retain graduates and highly
trained workers to enhance
Colchester’s economic
competitiveness
• Improve the links and outcomes
between business and education
to improve mutual
understanding and future
employment ‘fit’
• Aeriel View of Essex University
• CGI Edge Hotel School
• Sainsbury Tollgate
15
Opening in 2012, the Edge Hotel School will offer a very different
sort of hospitality management education, aspiring to the highest
professional standards and dedicated to the development of the
future leaders of the hotel and hospitality industry.
In partnership with the University of Essex, the Edge Hotel School
offers specialist degree courses, awarded by the University of Essex,
where all of the learning takes place within the commercial hotel
environment of Wivenhoe House. The Grade II listed property has
undergone a multi-million pound refurbishment, and is now an
outstanding four star standard hotel that will offer five star levels of
service to real guests throughout 40 rooms, a signature restaurant,
brasserie and bar and meeting and conference facilities.
These aspiring managers, as student practitioners of the Edge Hotel

School, will 'learn by doing' as the basis of their higher education,
whilst also learning the all-important people skills essential for
success in the hospitality industry. The student practitioners will
operate all aspects of the hotel guided by industry professional
practitioners and supported by academic practitioners and will leave
the Edge Hotel School with a unique degree plus the professional
practitioner skills and commitment to be ready for immediate
employment in the industry.
Colchester has The Edge
Maximise connectivity
• Improve the digital infrastructure
to transform Colchester’s
competitive position for new
business enterprise, reduce
the cost base for existing local
businesses and enhance the
quality of life for people who
live and study here
• Improving local and sub-regional
connectivity
16
The Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015 – The Way Forward Continued
Connecting Colchester - a Digital Strategy for
the Borough
The Council’s vision is to make the Borough the best-connected
Authority in the East of England by 2013.
To achieve this ambition, Colchester will accelerate the formation of
a digital infrastructure enabling access to a fast, affordable broadband
service for all. This high bandwidth service across a wide range of
internet protocol applications will contribute to leading-edge outcomes

for all businesses, organisations, residents and visitors.
Colchester Borough Council is working with information and
communications providers to deliver private investment which will
make working, living in or visiting the Borough a better place to be.
This role will see residents have many more opportunities to engage
with the Council and its services and those of other public and
community organisations through the digital medium, reducing the
divide between those living in urban and rural areas and between
people with high and low incomes.
By becoming a more competitive location for business, employment
opportunities will be created while the town centre strengthens its
attractiveness as a retail, tourism and cultural destination. Transport
movements will be reduced, lessening traffic congestion, whilst the
quality of life of all our residents will be enhanced, especially for
people who need health and care services.
Over the next two years, the Borough will be leading on the delivery
of modern, better public services which are accessible to all while
private and community needs will benefit from new internet
applications and content.
“By becoming a more
competitive location for
business, employment
opportunities will be
created while the town
centre strengthens its
attractiveness as a
retail, tourism and
cultural destination.”
Enhance the quality of life
• Strengthen the competitiveness

of the town centre to improve
the image and reputation of
Colchester as a place to do
business
• Develop and promote visitor
attractions to promote
Colchester as a visitor
destination and place for local
people to invest their time and
spend
• Develop and implement
initiatives to support rural
businesses to sustain and
develop the Borough’s rural
communities
17
• Relaxing in Castle Park
• Lion Walk Shopping Centre
Going for Gold!
Opening in autumn 2011, firstsite’s new home will reinvent
the traditional art gallery as an innovative cultural and
social space with contemporary art at its heart.
Designed by award-winning architect Rafael Viñoly, the
crescent-shaped building clad with a unique golden alloy
presents a creative space and a landmark destination.
At 3,200 square metres, firstsite’s new home will rank
among the largest contemporary art venues in the UK.
The building will include exhibition space, artists’ space for
artists in residence, learning studios as well as a 200 seat
auditorium and a range of meeting rooms for hire – an

ideal location for any business event.
For more information on firstsite’s venue hire offer, please
contact 0800 881 5696 or email
• Market in Culver Street West
18
Stimulate investment
• Promote Colchester as a
destination for business to
develop a resilient local economy
and provide future employment
opportunities
• Encourage the development and
promotion of sites and premises
to develop a resilient local
economy and provide future
job opportunities
• Promote routes for potential
trade development and access
to markets to offer maximum
opportunities for local businesses
to thrive
• Work effectively with inward
investment agencies to facilitate
a resilient and diverse local
economy
The full strategy and delivery plan
can be viewed on the business
pages of the Colchester Borough
Council website at
www.colchester.gov.uk/business

The Economic Development Strategy 2010-2015 – The Way Forward Continued
North Colchester
Business Incubation
Centre
January 2011 saw opening of the
new North Colchester Business
Incubation Centre at Severalls
Business Park. The prestigious
14,000 sq ft business centre houses
27 offices, a staffed reception area
and training and meeting rooms
in a purpose built business centre.
Many of the offices were pre-let,
providing an economic boost to
Colchester and helping to create
new businesses and provide new
jobs.
For more information about the
centre contact www.colbea.co.uk
CAMBRIDGE
NEWMARKET
IPSWICH
FELIXSTOWE
HARWICH
STANSTED
COLCHESTER
CHELMSFORD
A11
A12
A120

A
14
A1(M)
M11
M25
• New A12 Junction (28), North Colchester
• Colchester, the place to be
19
Better Town Centre
programme
The programme was launched in
March 2010 to invest in, improve and
prepare a rapidly growing Colchester
for a positive and resilient future.
The programme focuses on nine
themes:
• Things for people to see, do
and visit
• Getting to and around Colchester
• Making new buildings and
street scenes
• Creating clean and safe places
and spaces
• Changing Colchester after dark
• Improving Colchester for you
and your family
• Promoting Colchester
• Supporting businesses and
retailers
• Creating quality public places

and spaces
Where are we now?
Since the programme was
launched, a great deal of progress
has been made. There have been
a number of successes, highlights
of which include:
St. Botolph’s Priory
Public realm improvements have
transformed this historical area
into a quality public open space.
New seats, bins and landscaping
alongside improved accessibility
and security have made the
Priory a place for all to enjoy
this important part of the town’s
rich heritage.
firstsite
Colchester’s innovative new
contemporary art gallery opens
in autumn 2011. The landmark
firstsite building will provide new
things for people to do and add
to the town’s rich tourism offer.
The building has been the
catalyst for regeneration in the
St Botolph’s area, with three new
hotels, a creative business centre
and numerous retail opportunities
already planned in the surrounding

area.
Public realm improvements
The Council will unveil a new
public square in line with the
opening of the gallery where
people can meet and relax. This
attractive new area lies adjacent
to the firstsite building. It will
include new paving, trees, seating
and lighting and provide an open
space for activities and events for
people to enjoy. It also provides a
setting to complement the exciting
new developments taking place in
St. Botolph’s.
What are the plans for the
future?
Creative Business Centre
Colchester Borough Council has
purchased the strategic old Police
Station building on Queen Street.
This will be transformed into a
pioneering new creative business
centre. The centre, purchased
with a combination of external
and developer funding, will boost
Colchester’s thriving creative sector
• St Botolph’s Priory
• firstsite (internal image) Rafael Viñoly
Architects, Hayes Davidson CGI 2006

Colchester – the Perfect Place for Business
Colchester is changing. A programme of projects has been taking place around the
Borough to initiate these changes and bring forward benefits to help make Colchester
a better place to live, work and visit.
• Colchester Castle
• Old Fire Office, High Street
• View up High Street
20
by creating new job opportunities
and attracting investment. The
centre will provide work space,
alongside networking, training
and mentoring opportunities for
smaller firms.
Historic town centre
improvements
Measures to reduce unnecessary
traffic and improve the pedestrian
environment in the town centre
will be implemented in autumn
2011. It is hoped that this will
create a better setting for
shoppers, residents and visitors
to explore the town centre.
Town Station Square
Plans are also progressing to
develop a new public square
outside Colchester Town’s
railway station and the upcoming
new Magistrates’ Court. The

square will create a much more
striking and inviting gateway to
the town.
For more information and latest
news on the Better Town Centre
programme please visit
www.bettertowncentre.com
North Colchester
North Colchester has undergone
a transformation. Regeneration in
this area has created opportunities
for new homes and employment
areas that will lead to job creation
and provide an economic boost
for the town. Recent developments
include:
A12 - junction 28
The new A12 junction 28 opened
in December 2010, three months
ahead of schedule. The junction
offers improved access to the
Weston Homes Community
Stadium, housing and proposed
new developments in North
Colchester. Crucially, it has also
reduced congestion on the local
road network and the busy A12
Crown Interchange.
Park and Ride
Following the unveiling of the

new A12 junction, Essex County
Council has submitted a planning
application for a new Park and Ride
facility in North Colchester. This will
provide a fast, effective transport
link between the North of the town
and the town centre and will also
reduce traffic along key routes.
Colchester – the perfect place for Business Continued
“The ‘Better Town
Centre’ programme
was launched in March
2010 to invest in,
improve and prepare
a rapidly growing
Colchester for
a positive and
resilient future.”
• Guntons, Crouch Street
21
North Colchester Business
Incubation Centre
January 2011 saw the opening of
the new North Colchester Business
Incubation Centre. The prestigious
14,000 sq ft business centre was
delivered both on time and on
budget by the Council. With easy
access to the A12 and major road
networks, the centre has already

proved popular, providing an
economic boost to Colchester
and creating new jobs.
North Colchester is set to continue
to thrive, with new residential and
industrial development planned in
the future.
East Colchester
Colchester’s former port area
in East Colchester has undergone
a considerable change over recent
years. Significant residential
development has taken place
creating new communities and
providing homes for families in
the Borough.
The Council has brought about
a number of changes to
accommodate this development
including:
Hythe train station
A valuable upgrade has taken
place at Hythe train station, which
has improved transport links to
the town centre and enabled
commuters to travel directly into
the capital from the station.
These improvements include
an extension of platforms to
accommodate longer trains,

new waiting facilities, lighting,
CCTV, landscaping and a covered
space for cyclists. The appearance
of the station has also been
enhanced by an innovative public
art project called “The 9.03”. This
involved the installation of over
60 metres of hoardings, decorated
with attractive artwork and poetry
and designed by local artists,
influenced by the history and
the context of the Hythe.
King Edward Quay
Works have taken place at King
Edward Quay in the Hythe to
create an enhanced public space
for all to enjoy. The improvements
included a complete resurfacing of
the area, new lighting, seating, and
planters. Bollards have also been
installed that provide power and
water to allow house boats to be
moored along the quayside.
Transcoast
The Council successfully applied
for European funding towards
bringing about further changes
at King Edward Quay. This funding
is to be match funded and will
help provide easier access to the

River Colne at the Hythe, where
pontoons will be installed to make
the river accessible to as many user
groups as possible. It will also be
used for a community engagement
project to benefit people within
the local area.
By continuing with these exciting
projects it shows Colchester has
a bright future as well as a rich
history. The regeneration
programme clearly highlights how
the Council is making changes to
ensure Colchester is a place
people want to live, work and visit.
For further information please visit
www.colchester.gov.uk/regen
• Upgrades at Hythe Station
• East Colchester ‘Town to Sea Trail’ Waymarker
• King Edward Quay, East Colchester
• Roman on Castle Park Tour
•
War memorial outside Castle Park
• Visitor Information Centre
22
Value of Tourism to the Borough
• Tourism was worth £216.8m
to the economy of Colchester
Borough in 2009*
(*2009 is the latest year for which

figures are available).
• The value of tourism to
Colchester has risen by
243% from £63.1m in 1993
Number of jobs local Tourism
supports
• Tourism supports more than
6,000 jobs in the Borough
• It has risen by 75% since 1993
Number of trips taken to
Colchester
• Colchester attracted 4.5m visitor
trips in 2009
• A 61% rise on the 1993 figure of
2.8m visitor trips, comprising of:
- 59,000 trips taken by overseas
staying visitors
- 224,000 trips taken by
domestic staying visitors
- 4.2m day trippers
Colchester is an ambitious tourism destination. As well as being Britain’s oldest recorded
town Colchester, is looking forward to new attractions, new hotels and an anticipated
additional 500,000 visitor trips annually. Tourism is a growing sector in Colchester and
contributes over £216.8 million to the local economy.
Colchester Visitor Information Centre
A networked tourist information centre and official Enjoy England partner, the VisitColchester Information Centre
(VIC) is the public face of Colchester Borough Council’s tourism team. In addition to welcoming over 80,000
visitors a year to the centre, answering nearly 9,000 telephone, e-mail and written enquiries and producing the
Official Colchester Visitor Guide, this award winning team manages the www.visitcolchester.com website, and
works to raise the profile of Colchester across all forms of social media.

With the number of unique users increasing every year (1.3 million in 2010) www.visitcolchester.com connects
Colchester businesses from across the leisure sector to customers from all over world and closer to home. The
VIC combines free information services with a ticket agency and shop, but here too the focus is about supporting
the local economy – its unique Colchester Collection brand showcases local artists, authors, craftspeople and
food producers, providing these mostly small businesses with a High Street outlet for their products.
Facts and Figures about Tourism in and around Colchester
What’s special about Colchester?
Colchester is:
• 20 miles from Harwich
• 50 minutes from London by train
• 50 minutes from Stratford by train
– a great base for the London
2012 Games
• 8 miles from ‘Constable Country’
Colchester has a wide range of
classic attractions:
• Colchester Castle Museum
• Layer Marney Tower
• Hollytrees Social History Museum
• Tymperleys Clock Museum
• Munnings Museum Dedham
• Colchester Zoo
• The Mercury Theatre
Also contemporary attractions:
• Great shopping: all the big name
stores plus quiet streets of small
specialist shops
• The Colchester Arts Centre –
comedy, music and theatre
• firstsite contemporary art gallery

Tourism in Colchester
23
To this end, major partners in the
town, including Colchester Borough
Council, the University of Essex,
Essex Police and the Primary Care
Trust have joined together as
Colchester Partnership for 2012,
working together to showcase the
town and the many opportunities it
offers for any visiting team, looking
to host a preparation, training or
holding camp leading up to 2012.
Compete for that contract
There are lots of opportunities
for businesses too. Colchester
business Kat Creativ is just one
of the companies that have
benefitted from signing up to
‘Compete for’, a free service that
enables businesses to compete
for contract opportunities linked to
the London 2012 Games and other
major public and private sector
buying organisations, such as
Transport for London (TfL), Crossrail
and the Metropolitan Police.
Just go to www.competefor.com
to register your business.
And there is more……

‘Compete for’ is not the only site
that offers procurement
opportunities. Councils within Essex
have signed up as members of the
Procurement Agency for Essex
(PAE) which works to promote and
facilitate collaborative procurement
across Essex.
Suppliers are invited to register on
the PAE portal if they are interested
in supplying goods and services
to PAE members. Free of charge
self–certified registration, provides
access to the national supplier
database and email notification
of suitable contract notices. Just
go to www.paessex.gov.uk for
more information.
Essex County Council also has
a procurement portal called
Essex Bravo. You can sign up
to Essex Bravo by going to

And to help you win that contract
there is a free online course.
Winning the Contract is designed
to help businesses improve their
knowledge of public sector
procurement and was developed
on behalf of BERR and Business

Link. It provides an introduction to
the public sector and the different
types of contract, offering practical
advice to help you identify new
business opportunities. Just go
to Learn Direct and look under
Business.
Kat Creativ
“A hothouse of creative energy
and enthusiasm breathing new life
into any business, we are a
marketing and communications
company based in our hometown
of Colchester. From PR to event
management, designing literature,
building websites or creating a
social media platform, we will
research, plan and execute your
marketing strategies in line with
your company values. Working
locally has enabled us to build
lasting business relationships with
caring and proud individuals that
want to see their company visions
flourish. For more information
on our services please go to
www.katcreativ.co.uk”
Colchester is committed to creating a lasting legacy from the London 2012 Olympic and
Paralympic Games in many different ways, including raising participation in sport, attracting
new business opportunities to the town and building on our existing tourism industry.

• Artist’s Impression of the Olympic Stadium
Colchester - Ahead of the Game