News
Work to start this month
Most of Jumbo’s iconic red railings are about to temporarily disappear as pre-construction work starts. Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects has been appointed to lead the restoration of Jumbo and things are starting to happen this month.
As our newly appointed main contractor, Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects is already preparing Jumbo ahead of the main construction work which will begin in December 2025. As part of this, railings need to be removed to allow access. The railings will be cleaned and stored. Some will be restored and reused on site. Temporary fencing will be erected prior to scaffolding and hoardings being put in place.
Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects’ industry-leading heritage sector expertise and experience working on listed buildings will be key in retaining the tower’s historical attributes. Once completed, the tower will become a fully accessible destination venue with visitor experience and historical interpretation spaces.
The work has been commissioned by North Essex Heritage which has funding from UK Government, Colchester City Council, Historic England and The National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Mike Coleman, Operations Director, Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects, said:
“We are delighted to have been appointed to help bring a much-loved asset of industrial heritage and part of Colchester’s rich history back into public use for the residents and visitors.
“Our team will be able to call upon years of experience in the heritage sector, leveraging traditional skills to retain the tower’s charm and character while bringing it up to the standards required of a modern-day attraction.”
Jason Lowe, Project Director, North Essex Heritage, said:
“We are pleased to be joining forces with Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects to deliver this remarkable heritage scheme. We look forward to working with a partner who understands what Jumbo means to Colchester and the importance of putting the community at the heart of what we do. Together we will transform this heritage icon to inspire, engage and serve the local community”.
Simon Hall DL MBE, Chair of North Essex Heritage, a charity and building preservation trust, said:
“We are delighted to have appointed Sir Robert McAlpine Special Projects to lead the transformation of this unique heritage asset. Working alongside our Project Director and other experts, including Purcell and Focus Consultants, their expertise will help us ensure the future of this historic building.
“The importance of Jumbo both locally and nationally cannot be overstated. Newly restored, thanks to National Lottery players and other funders, Jumbo will be a highly visible exemplar of historic building conservation and creative heritage reuse, contributing to Colchester’s wider economic regeneration.”
Zoë Skelding, Conservation Architect and Partner, Purcell, said:
“We look forward to working with the Special Projects team at Sir Robert McAlpine, drawing upon their extensive expertise and track record of delivering complex and historic projects, to conserve and revitalise Jumbo Water Tower.”