A programme of improvements to Trinity Square begins today (Monday, 13 April), breathing new life into one of Colchester’s most historic and well‑loved spaces and creating a ‘pocket park’ for residents and visitors.
The project will gently enhance the space with new paths, benches and lighting, to make a peaceful green space for all to enjoy. The project will improve the setting of Holy Trinity Church, which is Colchester’s oldest standing building and Grade 1 listed for its unique Saxon Tower. The church itself is set for a £3.8m transformation pending funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
What’s happening – and why
The project will be completed in Autumn 2026 and will revive the former churchyard at Holy Trinity, allowing the public to once again enjoy a green space that has been closed for decades. The improvements include:
- New paths and benches.
- A Covid memorial space
- Restoration of the churchyard monuments and gravestones.
- Repairing and repainting the railings and gates, and the steps into the churchyard.
- Sensitive new lighting designed to be wildlife friendly.
- New power supplies for the market traders around the square.
The former churchyard areas will be able to be opened during the daytime for the public to use and will continue to be locked at night. A small, separate outer space will remain accessible. This will allow the church to open directly onto the street, removing the sense of a barrier created by railings and ensuring the building can still be used even when the wider churchyard is closed - ahead of its own multi‑million‑pound renovation The redesign will also create more pavement space outside the church porch and tower, allowing visitors to appreciate the historic features up close.
These arrangements have been developed through consultation with neighbouring businesses, residents, Historic England and Essex Police.
About the improvements
Roof repairs to Holy Trinity Church itself are now complete – funded by UK Government – and Bakers of Danbury are now carrying out the works to the Square.
Hana Loftus, co-director of HAT Projects, the architecture practice behind the new designs for the new square, said: “We are very excited to see this beautiful historic green space become usable once more. As a business based just a few metres away from the site, we know how special Trinity Street is and how much our neighbours are looking forward to having a lovely green space to enjoy during the day. The improvements will make this a wonderful place to find a moment of peace and contemplation within the busy city centre.”
How the project is being funded
The £795,000 Trinity Square improvements are being delivered using government regeneration funding, part of investment that supports the renewal of key city centre spaces.
Part of a bigger picture
The restoration of Trinity Square sits within the wider City Centre Masterplan, which is bringing forward major projects to create a safer, greener and more vibrant city centre.
Expanding on the bigger picture, Simon Blaxill, Chair of We Are Colchester, said “Trinity Square is a hidden gem at the heart of our city, and I’m delighted that it will soon become a welcoming and vibrant space for residents, businesses and visitors.
“Colchester is transforming. From St Nicholas Square and the Digital Forum to the upcoming St Botolph’s schemes, the Jumbo restoration and the reopening of the former M&S building, regeneration is no longer an aspiration - it’s happening. These improvements show the momentum building across our city centre and the confidence we have in its future.”
To find out more about Colchester’s regeneration, visit: www.colchester.gov.uk/citycentre