Colchester to be rebranded 'Britain’s First City'

Colchester Council’s Cabinet has agreed to change the town’s strapline from the long-running Britain’s Oldest Recorded Town to Britain’s First City.

The new slogan will be seen on signs across the town and associated with the Visit Colchester tourism site.

Tim Young, councillor responsible for business and culture, said: “The old strapline was getting a bit tired and dated and we wanted to give it a boost.

“We have been talking to historians, experts and the task and finish group.

“We want to make a bold, confident and ambitious statement about our town which we can back up.”

The council’s heritage and tourism task and finish group proposed changing the strapline phrase to Britain’s First Roman City as well as several other options.

The group’s chairman, Darius Laws suggested further consultation should be undertaken with the public before any change was made.

He said: “I think on balance the Roman word should be in there. I think we should go out to the public for more consultation. It could be tested before it goes to print runs.”

However, Cabinet members agreed to press ahead.

Community interest company Destination Colchester said it has been using and promoting the Britain’s First City strapline since 2012 in leaflets and online.

The strapline came about when Destination Colchester contributed towards Colchester’s unsuccessful application for formal city status.

A report compiled by the group argues despite Colchester not having official city status, it can be shown to be the site of the first city, as a large or important urban settlement.