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Colchester
Ultra Ready for Business
Colchester Ups its
Tourism Game
to Go for the
Short Breaks Market
Few destinations, especially in the East of
England, have seen such a meteoric growth in
their tourism industry as that of Colchester in
recent years. Colchester has a great tourism
offer: a Norman Castle built on the remains of
the Roman Temple of Claudius, the Dedham Vale
Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty also known
as ‘Constable Country’, Mersea Island (home of
the Colchester Native oyster), the multi-award
winning Colchester Zoo, Chappel Viaduct (with
its 27 brick arches spanning the Colne Valley)
and a vibrant town centre offering museums,
galleries, the award-winning Castle Park and
extensive shopping choice.
As the oldest recorded town in Britain, its rich history makes
it a natural tourist destination, attracting several million
visitor trips every year. To improve the whole visitor experience
investors have been financing new hotel development in
Colchester, from budget to high end offerings, its eateries
and other leisure attractions to make it a short break hotspot.
Much has already been achieved. Over the last five years new
hotels – identified as a priority growth area by the council –
have added more than 180 rooms to the town’s hotel base
and has improved the offer for business tourism.
In 2015, OMC Investments unveiled its £10m refurbishment
of Greyfriars at the eastern end of Colchester’s High Street
where it is centrally located in the town’s cultural quarter.
A planning and development programme that took approaching
five years has transformed this former 18th century private
home into a 26 room luxury hotel and restaurant. The sensitive
fit out process revealed many original Georgian features
while modern fixtures and finishes were commissioned on a
bespoke basis. There were also collaborations with Colchester
Institute to create design features that reflect the heritage of
the building.
The rationale for such an investment was Colchester’s history,
architecture and cultural landmarks, combined with its business
community and proximity to London, the East Anglian countryside
and its coast, that clearly indicated to OMC the potential for a
luxury hotel and restaurant destination in the town.
OMC is now undertaking a separate restoration of nearby East
Hill House, likely to serve as ‘event’ space.
Colchester has seen the arrival of several other hotels. 2015
also saw the opening of Blue Ivy Boutique Hotel on North Hill,
offering 12 bedrooms and a restaurant. At the budget end,
Star Anglia Hotel in North Station Road, has been joined by a
new 85-bed Premier Inn in St Peter’s Street. In a more rural
setting, the University of Essex re-opened the 40-bed Wivenhoe
House Hotel a few years ago, following a £10m refurbishment
and extension.
In the short to medium term the town can expect to see
further hotel investment when Surya Hotels embarks on a
makeover of Colchester’s oldest hotel The George, located just
a stone’s throw away from Colchester Castle. Another hotel is
planned in St Botolph’s in the town centre and also at the
Colchester Northern Gateway.