Charity bosses pledged to the restoration and renaissance of Colchester’s historic jumbo water tower have praised a grant which has allowed them to move to the next phase of the project.

Thanks to the £25,000 from the Architectural Heritage Fund (AHF), awarded in June 2022, North Essex Heritage has now appointed a project manager and quantity surveyor to help develop the scheme and steer its National Lottery Heritage Fund grant application.

Simon Hall MBE DL, Chair of North Essex Heritage, said:

“The AHF’s generous grant has been essential in allowing us to recruit more experts to assist with this complex project for the sensitive adaptation of the Grade II* listed building. This work will enable us to submit the best possible application for funding to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in 2023. The £25,000 is in addition to a £20,000 grant from the AHF in 2020 which contributed to the cost of vital survey work of Jumbo.”

The AHF is a grant-giving charity which promotes the conservation and sustainable reuse of historic buildings, helping communities find enterprising ways to revitalise the old buildings they love.

Simon Hall added:

“In the past few months we have been discussing our emerging plans with individuals, businesses and groups from Colchester and across the East of England and we have been delighted with the response. Clearly, everyone loves Jumbo and wants it to be part of the life of our city once again. There is overwhelming support for Jumbo to provide a lively and unique space for community groups, businesses and individuals in the heart of the vibrant area around The Mercury Theatre and The Arts Centre.

“We have now produced a survey in support of our National Lottery Heritage Fund application, and we hope people will take a few minutes to complete it and have their say over the festive break. If you want Jumbo saved, I urge you to take part in this quick survey.”

The survey can be found here:
https://www.smartsurvey.co.uk/s/Jumbo-Water-Tower/

David Balcombe, Director of North Essex Heritage, said:

“The expert advisors being paid for by the grant from the AHF are helping us develop ideas for the conservation and sustainable conversion of Jumbo. Other specialists have been appointed for architecture, structural repairs, ecology, fire protection and heritage interpretation and their initial fees are to be met from the Town Deal fund, already allocated to Jumbo by Colchester City Council. We also receive generous support from Historic England.”