Colchester Borough Council: Sergeants' Mess

Colchester Council’s Cabinet has confirmed its support for the campaign to buy the Sergeants’ Mess, the site of the Roman Circus starting gates, by pledging £30,000 to the public appeal.

The Council has already made a donation of £5,000 to the campaign which has been matched by partner Colchester 2020. Additionally some individual Councillors and groups have also donated privately. The Cabinet has now agreed to support the public appeal up to a figure of £30,000, as a way of securing the garden and the gates, providing the public appeal raises £170,000.

Speaking on behalf of the Cabinet, Deputy Leader Martin Hunt said: “We wish to make it absolutely clear that we are fully committed to securing and preserving as much of the Roman Circus site as possible and we hope this contribution will secure the ownership of the starting gates which are a vital part of the site.”  

Cllr Lyn Barton, Portfolio Holder for Planning, Sustainability and Environmental, said: “The Public Appeal is going from strength to strength and I am delighted that we have been able to make a further contribution. We are totally committed to this project and feel it is vital to preserve the starting gates site at all costs.”

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For further comment please contact Cllr Lyn Barton on 766171 or Cllr Martin Hunt on 514776.