Since last summer, many of you have experienced the square at its busiest, whether visiting the Ferris wheel or carousel, browsing Sunday markets or enjoying seasonal events. That energy has made a real difference to local businesses, with venues including Three Wise Monkeys, St Nicholas Hotel, Moto Pizza, Roots & Grooves and Romano Lounge all benefiting from increased footfall and a more welcoming public space.
Three Wise Monkeys shared how the square changed the atmosphere: “The addition of St Nicholas Square has been transformational for us as a business. The area feels much nicer, offering a more relaxed place for people to socialise and attracting a slightly different demographic.
“It has also helped us create additional jobs for local people and offer our staff more hours, particularly during key city events such as the Summer Series.”
Roots and Grooves Owners Chelle Luk-Hang, Richard Cosgrove and General Manager, Alex, added: “What once felt like separate pockets of businesses now feels like one connected, welcoming space, with a real sense of community at its heart.
“In the mornings, there’s a real European café culture, with people stopping for coffee and enjoying the space - we sometimes call it the ‘Colchester Riviera’. We’ve also seen awareness of Roots & Grooves grow, with more new customers discovering us and far fewer people asking where we are.
“There’s still more potential. We’d love to see the square used even more regularly, from creative music events to big moments like Invasion Colchester - that’s when it really comes alive.”
Romano Lounge Assistant Manager, Stanley de Brito, said: “Over the years I’ve worked here, the transformation has been incredible. Where cars once parked and the area felt on the edge of the city, St Nicholas Square has opened everything up and brought it into the heart of the city centre.
“We’re seeing more footfall, new customers and a real sense of a business community, with businesses on the square supporting each other day to day. It wasn’t easy during construction, but it’s been worth it.
“What’s special now is the connection with our customers. We have regulars whose orders we know by heart, and the square gives people a place to stay, relax and enjoy their time. With events like the Summer Series coming up, there’s real excitement about what’s next.”
Moto Pizza, at the heart of the square, has also recently opened a new outdoor seating area. A spokesperson said: “We’ve just opened our new outdoor space at Moto Pizza and are really excited about it. Customers can now pop in for a drink in the sunshine or enjoy a pizza outside. We hope it will become a great addition to St Nicholas Square over the summer.”
Regeneration isn’t just an aspiration – it’s happening right now
Cllr David King, Deputy Leader of the Council and Portfolio Holder for Communities and Public Protection, said: “While there have been some small challenges, it’s clear confidence in the area continues to grow. In recent months, Escape Hunt has opened its doors in the square, and Super Opticians are preparing to move into the final available unit.
“Before the square was created, we had empty units and underused space. Today, those units are filled and the square is regularly used and enjoyed. As a council, we may not always be able to support businesses as directly as we’d like, but through regeneration we can help create the right conditions for businesses to thrive and for jobs to grow.”
Simon Blaxill, Chair of We Are Colchester, expanded on regeneration: “This is just the beginning for Colchester city centre. Work is progressing on projects such as Trinity Square, with more announcements to come. We’re also continuing to move forward with updates on schemes including Holy Trinity Church, Jumbo and the St Botolph’s Quarter - all part of our long-term investment in Colchester’s future.”
“St Nicholas Square shows that regeneration in Colchester isn’t an aspiration - it’s already happening. It’s supporting local businesses, creating opportunities and shaping a city centre that works for everyone.
“We know there have been some teething issues, and many of you have shared feedback about practical elements such as waste bins. We’ve listened. Working closely with businesses, the Colchester Business Improvement District (BID) is developing longer-term solutions, with temporary measures already in place to keep the space tidy while improvements are finalised.”
If you haven’t visited the square recently, now is the perfect time to come back and see how it has grown. Whether you’re meeting friends for a coffee, trying somewhere new for lunch or enjoying an event, the space is yours – and it’s evolving with the community at its heart.