£3m plan to renovate Colchester’s oldest church, Holy Trinity, adding a cafe, shop, and community spaces.
The church renovation is part of a larger plan costing £2.8 million. The goal is restoring and securing its future. The church stopped holding services in 1956 and became a museum. Youth and community groups also used it. It dates back to around AD 1,000 and is Anglo-Saxon.
The work will fix the roof, finishings, windows, doors, and walls. A new café will open every day, and the church will have a small shop. Meeting spaces will be open for community groups.
The church will host charity shops and craft fairs. People of all ages can do arts and crafts, and they may even hold weddings. The plan also includes space for St Helena’s Hospice.
The council has big plans for the city, spending £19 million total. This includes fixing the Jumbo Water Tower, expanding a doctor’s surgery, and providing space for small businesses.