REVEALED: Plans for Jumbo unveiled at public consultation

Colchester residents were invited to a public consultation where they were presented with the ideas and a timeline of events, which detailed each stage of the project up to four years.

The two potential ideas are a cultural venue with restaurant and hire space, or a high-level restaurant, where diners could see as far as the Bradwell Power Station on a clear day.

Across the weekend hundreds turned out to view the proposals, at the Mercury Theatre, and speak directly with trustees and members of the Balkerne Tower Trust.

The trust has long-campaigned for the water tower to be turned into a museum.

David Balcombe, director of the building preservation trust, said the two options are the most viable.

He said: "From here the point is to ask the questions to help everyone decide what will be the single most best use.

"It is a long haul project but where we are now is this very happy position whereby the Colchester politicians are agreeing now is the best chance the building has of a secure future.

"By us working together we can start moving forward in some direction and not pull in opposite ways, which is what has happened in the past."

The cultural venue and restaurant option would cost £2,760,000, including all fees, while the high-level restaurant's cost has been set at £2,640,000. Neither cost takes into account a fit-out of each of the restaurant spaces.

Mr Balcombe added: "If when we’re applying to grant-giving bodies and they see there is a conflict between opinions of what should be at Jumbo, it will impact our chances of receiving funding.

"Jumbo is the most important water tower in the country so the last thing we want is for it to remain abandoned for another 30 years. It is a project whose time has come and this stands a chance of happening now as a large amount of money has been promised to it.

"It also needs to fill that gap between Colchester Arts Centre and the Mercury Theatre.

"Having the consultation is more about communication. We’re asking for people to support the work and get this consensus going.”

To download the full report, visit www.colchesterbpt.co.uk.

Reporters Vicky Gayle and Lois Worrow spoke to visitors who voiced their opinions on Jumbo's makeover.

• Susan Coppin, 48, a Home Help care assistant, from St. Mary’s, in Colchester.

“It would be nice to have a restaurant up there as while you eat, you would be able to look out at this spectacular panoramic view.

"However, the concern with this idea is expensive fine dining may put people off who come from Colchester because it does not suit their lifestyle or budget perhaps.

"A café or restaurant with modest prices would be more accessible. Equally having a function room would make good use of the space and I would have proposed a museum on the ground floor with a café or restaurant then upstairs.

"But without being able to have a look around at the space upstairs, it is difficult to know exactly what would work in there so if given the opportunity, I would definitely like to go up near the top.”

• Mike Hampton, 69, a semi-retired plumbing and heating engineer, from Great Tey.

“What has been put forward for the space I feel are both really good as there is a lack of high-quality restaurants in Colchester, so having one in Jumbo would possibly bring more variety to the town centre in terms of food.

"It absolutely has to be preserved, that is for sure.

"I have lived here all of my life and you stare at it in amazement because of the structure itself.

"I am not too sure what I would put up there but I am a big jazz fan so I think a performing arts centre would be nice. Although they have the Mercury Theatre and Colchester Arts Centre, I think it is a bit ancient and putting that kind of space up in Jumbo would bring something different.”

• Carol Carpenter, 71, a retiree, from Riverside, in Colchester.

“I think the idea of the lovely restaurant is wonderful but it won’t necessarily be accessible to everyone, whereas a bistro is less expensive so more people could use it.

"Also you would be able to go along the walkway and look around at the view so it would be useful to more people.

"The price of the menu has to be a huge consideration because there is not a large majority of wealthy people in Colchester so the general public would use it more as a bistro as I see that option being more reasonably priced and less elitist.

"The view up there would definitely tempt you in. Separate rooms for functions or weddings even would be a great idea.”

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