Plans are forging ahead for the restoration of Colchester's Victorian water tower, with a visit from heritage experts and the local MP.
The Jumbo water tower in Colchester is a Grade II* listed building and has been marked for a restoration, conservation and renaissance project.
North Essex Heritage has leased the building for 150 years and plans to convert the 34-metre tower into a destination venue, restaurant, visitor experience and historical interpretation space.
The charity has already secured £1m funding through the We Are Colchester's Town's Deal Fund bid and has the continued support of Historic England and the Architectural Heritage Fund.
A further £4m is hoped to be raised in part by an application set to be made to the National Lottery Heritage Fund in early 2023.
Joining heritage experts for the visit was Colchester MP Will Quince who said: "Jumbo has sat unused, unloved and largely derelict for decades.
"We now have an exciting opportunity, leveraging the £1m of government funding, to raise further circa £4m needed to restore and redevelop Jumbo into not just a heritage attraction, but a destination for everyone."
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