Living And Working In Colchester

Colchester is a historic city, having been awarded city status only last year in 2022 to mark the late Queen’s Platinum Jubilee, and is located in the county of Essex. It is around a 65 mile journey from London and the nearest airport is London Southend Airport, followed closely by London Stansted Airport. It is a popular and vibrant place with an ever growing population, surrounded by several smaller towns and villages.

The history of Colchester is interesting, especially as it is, (or rather was, because of the recent  city status!) Britain's oldest recorded town. From as far back as the Roman era, Colchester was an important place for trade and was surrounded by a wall that still partly exists today. In the nineteenth century, Colchester became an important railway town and experienced significant changes due to the Industrial Revolution which lasted from the mid 1700’s to the mid 1800’s. Textiles, manufacturing, engineering and transportation and infrastructure all boomed during this time and the legacy lives on in the current architecture and various museums and cultural sites.

Colchester now has a diverse economy which includes the service sector such as retail, hospitality, healthcare, education and financial services. Advanced manufacturing and engineering is still a very strong sector, as it always has been, with many major companies based in Colchester. Creative, digital and technology, green energy, and construction are also major sectors. Tourism plays an important role in the city with millions of visitors each year being attracted to the many historic buildings and attractions. Businesses and start ups thrive here and with a several billion pounds transformation, Colchester is perfect for investment opportunities and is an innovation hotspot with revolutionary connectivity and ultra fast broadband

Colchester has always been proud of its military links and is home to several regiments of the British Army and a nearby RAF station. It is of interest to note that during the First World War, Kitchener’s Army, which was made up of volunteers, were trained in Colchester.

The University of Essex is located in Colchester and is a highly regarded institution with a strong reputation for its commitment towards research and its academic excellence.

Colchester offers so much in the way of entertainment and interesting, cultural experiences that it would be impossible to mention them all. Colchester Castle Is an iconic landmark which was built by the Normans and is now a museum that showcases the long and interesting history of the area. Colchester Zoo is one of the UK’s top rated attractions and is home to hundreds of different species. Also not to be missed are the peaceful Beth Chatto Plants and Gardens, St Botolph’s Priory, the Colchester Arts Centre, the Victorian Jumbo Water Tower and Castle Park which is ideal for families.

Dedham Vale and Stour Valley is a nearby picturesque area of beautiful countryside that is popular with walkers and cyclists and has inspired the works of several artists including John Constable. Mersea Island, surrounded by breathtaking scenery, offers an island experience with natural sandy beaches and a selection of shops and restaurants.

Colchester has a variety of shopping options from high end boutiques to department stores and markets. There is also a vibrant nightlife to suit all tastes whether you wish to visit the theatre, relax in a traditional pub, visit a cocktail bar or dance the night away in a club.

A key aspect to living here is that there are so many leisure activities which cater for busy families and equally those who wish to pursue more solitary pursuits.

Colchester offers an interesting selection of properties, including Regency, Victorian, Georgian and of course, modern homes.

Looking for a new job or career in Colchester? We are hosting an event at JobServe Stadium on Thursday 16th March, between the times of 10am-2pm. Our events are free to attend - download your ticket now!