Amphora Events has delivered a £24 million economic boost to Colchester in 2024/25, according to a new independent economic impact report by Counterculture Partnership LLP.
The report confirms that Amphora Events, part of Colchester Amphora Trading Ltd owned by Colchester Council, is now a major economic and cultural engine for the city, running a vibrant programme of concerts, gigs, festivals, weddings and civic events across Charter Hall, Colchester Town Hall, and the Castle Park concert series.
Major economic driver
The analysis shows Amphora Events generated:
- £6 million in visitor spending from Charter Hall’s live music and comedy programme.
- £6.5 million from the Castle Summer Series, including thousands of overnight stays.
- A total economic impact of £23.9 million, supporting jobs across hospitality, retail and transport.
With almost 300,000 attendees at events in 2024/25, including 179,000 visitors from outside the city, Colchester’s venues are delivering national-level impact for a city of its size.
Strengthening Colchester’s cultural identity
Beyond financial return, the report highlights significant social and cultural value:
- Attending live music increases wellbeing by 21%, outperforming yoga, dog walking and other leisure activities.
- Events build shared experiences, civic pride and social connection.
- Charter Hall serves as an ‘Research & Development department’ for the music industry, supporting emerging artists and technical skills.
- A thriving cultural scene boosts Colchester’s profile and strengthens its tourism economy.
A platform for future growth
With potential changes to local government on the horizon, the report recommends that Amphora Events should continue prioritising its goal of establishing Charter Hall as Colchester’s key events venue, while also helping to protect and strengthen the city’s cultural infrastructure.
One of the region’s most successful council‑owned events programmes
Counterculture concludes that Amphora Events runs one of the most successful local-authority-owned programmes in the East of England, delivering both strong commercial performance and high public value.
Amphora Events has also been shortlisted for the LGC Awards 2026, recognising excellence across the UK’s local government sector.
Cllr David King, Leader of Colchester City Council, welcomed the findings, saying: “This report confirms the enormous value of Amphora’s Events Programme, economically, socially and culturally. With continued support, we can grow the city’s offer further and ensure Colchester continues to punch above its weight as a cultural destination.”
Cllr Martyn Warnes, Chair of the Board Amphora, said: “These results show the real difference that well‑run, high‑quality events can make to a city. Amphora is proud to play a part in bringing visitors into Colchester, supporting local businesses and creating opportunities for people to come together. We will continue to work closely with the Council and our partners to grow our events programme and deliver even more benefits for the city.”