Work is set to start next month on the multi-million pound restoration of Colchester’s famous Jumbo water tower.
The Balkerne water tower, affectionately known as Jumbo, is one of the city’s best known landmarks and is the largest and tallest surviving Victorian municipal water tower in England.
However, since falling out of use in 1984, the Grade II*-listed building fell into disrepair.
The Jumbo Project, led by North Essex Heritage, now aims to restore the tower into a heritage attraction, community space and events venue having secured a £11.3 million grant from The National Lottery Heritage Fund, alongside previous support from Colchester City Council and other funding partners.
Public tours of the site will halt after half term to allow hoardings to be put up around the site, ready for work to start later this year.
Simon Hall MBE DL, Chair of North Essex Heritage, said: “After years of hard work behind the scenes, we are thrilled to finally see the hoarding go up.
“We are, of course, sad to see the end of our regular weekend tours, which have proved so popular and have usually sold out in minutes.
“Our amazing volunteer guides have been so generous with their time and allowed us to give thousands of people the chance to see inside Jumbo before work begins.
“Once reopened, Jumbo will offer events for everyone.
“Impressive displays in the tank will tell Jumbo’s incredible story, bring our city’s history to life and showcase important contemporary issues from a unique perspective.
“Windows in the tank will give visitors unrivalled views of the city.”
Team Colchester, a partnership between Colchester City and Essex County councils, has recently pledged a further £100,000 to the project.
Cllr Paul Dundas, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “Jumbo is one of Colchester’s most recognisable landmarks and an important part of our city’s heritage.
“This additional investment demonstrates our continued commitment to seeing the building restored and brought back into use for future generations.
“The project has the potential to create a unique visitor attraction, support our local economy, celebrate our history and provide new opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with this remarkable building.
“By strengthening the project’s funding position, we can help create further opportunities to attract investment and support the long-term success of this important restoration.”
