Restaurant vision for former Post Office building

The post office on North Hill, Colchester, was shut with services moved to WH Smith in Lion Walk Shopping Centre.

But the choice of marketing has been questioned by the town’s High Steward, Sir Bob Russell, who has previously criticised town centre bosses for the quantity of unoccupied restaurant premises, after a collaborative investigation with The Gazette.

Former Lib Dem MP Sir Bob said: “The Gazette recently reported that there at least 17 locations in Colchester with valid planning consents to be used as restaurants.

“If there are already 17 not taken up, it is difficult to see how an 18th location will do any better – but you never know.

“What is for sure is that Colchester is over-subscribed with plans for new restaurants, and market forces are clearly showing that there is no demand for even more in what is already a very competitive market.

“I think the borough council should review its planning strategy.”

The 10,757 sq ft site is being marketed by agents BNP Paribas Real Estate, who state it is a “prominent former Post Office in Colchester town centre suited to A3/A4 use.”

This use covers restaurants and cafés and drinking establishments.

Other highlights are said to be the ground floor and basement with potential retail space and first and second floors for office space.

The controversial move to relocate the post office was first mooted in October last year and confirmed following a six-week public consultation.

Sir Bob, who was a critic of the post office move, previously said: “With so many premises with planning permission for restaurants which have never materialised, it suggests that market forces are showing there is simply no demand for yet more restaurants to be planned.

“I think the council needs to review its strategy for more restaurants and instead encourage owners to think of other uses for which they have buildings standing empty.”

BNP Paribas was contacted for comment.