Team Colchester – a partnership between Colchester City and Essex County Council’s – is calling on residents, visitors, and businesses to share their thoughts on the future of the city centre as part of an exciting new initiative to track opinions on the ongoing regeneration and planned developments.
With major regeneration and private investments already underway, Colchester is undergoing a transformative period, and this survey offers everyone a chance to feed back to the council and businesses.
The first annual survey, launched today, aims to gather insights on how the city centre is currently used, what residents love, what they think could be improved, and their awareness of the upcoming developments. Even though there is a lot of positive change happening in Colchester, we recognise that change can be disruptive. We want to hear about the up and downside from the people of Colchester.
While there are many examples of economic growth in Colchester, this survey will focus on the human side of regeneration – tracking attitudes, hopes, and opinions of those who live, work, and study in the area. Views that can help the city centre develops in a way that benefits everyone, addressing concerns while embracing the necessary changes.
The survey takes just five minutes to complete and is completely anonymous.
Respondents will be in for a chance to win four Friday Night Cabaret Tickets at the newly opened Dragonfly Lounge, which is helping to diversify the city centre’s leisure offering.
Jo Palmer-Tweed, Director at The Dragonfly Lounge, said: “We're thrilled to be able to support this survey and give people the chance to have a fun evening with us! Colchester has been so welcoming, and I hope our venue will add to people's opinion of the city.”
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, explained: “It's fairly easy to track the economic growth of the city - which is certainly on the up - but it’s really important to understand how our residents and businesses are feeling.
“In the past month, the purchase of the former M&S building has been completed, Lion Walk Shopping Centre celebrated bucking the trend with 100% occupancy rate, and the regeneration of St Nicholas Square is almost complete. Colchester has real momentum behind it. But, as change happens, we want to listen and learn. And working with residents and businesses we can help make the best of change in our city, to ensure that – compared to many others – it continues to thrive.”
This survey is unique for Colchester and Essex County Council, marking the first time an initiative aimed at understanding perceptions has been undertaken on this scale, with plans to share the results with the public in July/August. It reflects Colchester’s commitment to engaging residents in the process of regeneration and change.
Page last reviewed: 28 April 2025