Decision Details

Decision Proposed

Delivering on the Promise of City Status – Revitalising Colchester’s High Street and Retail Offer

Motion G

Proposer: Councillor Scordis, Seconder: Councillor J. Young

This Council notes that: -

1. Colchester was granted City Status in 2022 as part of the Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Honours, in recognition of its’ historic, cultural and economic significance.

2. City Status was widely promoted as a catalyst to: -
o raise Colchester’s national and international profile,
o attract inward investment,
o boost tourism,
o create jobs and improve wages, and
o strengthen the local economy and cultural offer. 

3. These anticipated benefits were presented to residents and businesses as a means to revitalise the city centre and strengthen the vitality of the high street.

4. Despite this ambition, many residents and local businesses perceive a lack of visible progress in improving the retail offer, including: - 
o persistent vacant units,
o a limited and declining retail mix,
o insufficient support for independent businesses, and
o a lack of cohesive vision for the high street experience.

5. City Status itself does not automatically deliver funding or powers; therefore, realising its benefits depends on active leadership, clear strategy, and effective and timely delivery. 

This Council believes that:-

1. The granting of City Status creates not just an opportunity but an obligation to demonstrate tangible improvements in the city centre.

2. A thriving, diverse, and attractive high street is essential to: - 
o unlocking inward investment,
o increasing footfall,
o supporting local jobs, and
o enhancing civic pride.

3. Without meaningful improvements to the retail offer, Colchester risks failing to capitalise on its enhanced status and losing competitive ground to nearby cities and towns.

4. Residents and businesses deserve to see clear evidence that the promises associated with City Status are being delivered in practice.

This Council resolves to:-

1. Develop and publish a refreshed City Centre and High Street Strategy within six months, clearly setting out: -
o a vision for the retail mix,
o plans to reduce units’ vacancies,
o support mechanisms for independent and start-up businesses, and
o measures to enhance the evening and visitor economy including a focus on community safety.

2. Establish a City Status Delivery Plan, linking the promise of City Status directly to measurable outcomes, including: -
o increased footfall,
o improved business occupancy rates,
o growth in local employment, and
o enhanced tourism metrics.

3. Work proactively with partners, including: -
o local businesses and BID organisations,
o cultural institutions,
o property owners and developers, and
o regional and national government, to attract investment and drive regeneration.

4. Explore incentives and interventions to revitalise the high street, including: -
o targeted use of grants and funding streams,
o Take advantage of the Government's High Street Rental Auction Programme to tackle the issue of vacant units
o business rate support (where possible), and
o further support of events and cultural programming to drive footfall.
o Enforce the PSPO to deal with Anti-social behaviour in the City Centre.

5. Provide regular public reporting, at least annually, on progress in delivering the economic and social benefits of City Status, with specific reference to the high street and retail offer.

This Council further calls on the relevant Portfolio Holder and Cabinet to bring forward an urgent progress report in three months on current regeneration activity, identifying gaps in delivery and immediate actions to address the decline in retail vitality.

As the motion relates to an executive function it will stand referred direct to Cabinet, unless Council Procedure Rule 11(2) is suspended.

Wed 15 Jul 2026

No

Yes

Committee

Full Council

Yes

No

No