East of England

The East of England

There is broad consensus across the political spectrum to increase total investment in UK research and development. With its universities, science and technology parks, business incubators and accelerators, this is a region that is developing at high-speed, cementing it as one of the foremost areas to start, grow and develop businesses in life science, technology, bio-tech, agri-tech and plant science.

Essex

Essex is a magnet for the IT, creative, media and other technologically innovative industries which are now key to its economy. Expertise in cutting edge areas such as artificial intelligence (AI), virtual reality, machine learning, data analytics, the Internet of Things, robotics and drone technology is placing the county at the leading edge of the information revolution.

Colchester

Colchester was granted city status in 2022 and is widely recognised as Britain's oldest recorded town, with over 2,000 years of history, giving it a unique cultural and heritage offer.

Described as the best-connected city in the East of England, Colchester is rapidly becoming a strategic location for the tech economy with aspirations to become the next “Tech City” in the UK.

Today, Colchester has many of the ingredients fundamental to a successful tech cluster: a strong University majoring in computer science, data analytics, artificial intelligence, business leadership and incubation facilities for start-ups and a burgeoning creative sector.

With multi-million investment already in place and more planned through Colchester’s Digital Strategy, there is a real ambition to improve infrastructure and increase investment taking place to secure added-value employment.

Colchester has a number of key areas for growth.

These include:

• Creative and digital
• Construction
• Financial and professional business support services
• Advanced manufacturing
• Health and care
• Logistics
• Alternative energy
• Retail
• Tourism

Colchester is seeing £100m+ investment in regeneration and infrastructure projects plus investment in a new A120-A133 link round and rapid transit system which are improving transport connections with the University. Colchester is also part of the Freeport East economic area and the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community is on the University’s doorstep.

Colchester offers good value in the housing market and is a strong investment area. Ranked highly for quality of life, nature and architectural beauty Colchester also boasts an outstanding collection of schools and educational establishments to support the City’s young people to learn and develop.

Boasting a real kindness and community mindedness amongst residents there is a genuine desire to make the most of Colchester’s unique assets and to look after the people who live here. Cultural attractions are amongst the finest within the UK with arts, heritage, theatre and performance venues, including the award-winning Firstsite, that provide fantastic entertainment and enrichment for residents plus visitors from further afield.

With plenty of green space including popular parks and country and coastline walks as well as Colchester Zoo there is plenty of open space to enjoy. With the popular Culver Square and Lion Walk shopping centres as well as independent shops the retail experience is everything you would expect from an up and coming city and Colchester is also a city of fantastic food, provided by a range of pubs, cafés, restaurants (including Michelin-starred) and bars.

Colchester is seeing £100m+ investment in regeneration and infrastructure projects plus investment in a new A120-A133 link round and rapid transit system which are improving transport connections with the University. Colchester is also part of the Freeport East economic area and the Tendring Colchester Borders Garden Community is on the University’s doorstep.

Colchester offers good value in the housing market and is a strong investment area. Ranked highly for quality of life, nature and architectural beauty Colchester also boasts an outstanding collection of schools and educational establishments to support the City’s young people to learn and develop.

Boasting a real kindness and community mindedness amongst residents there is a genuine desire to make the most of Colchester’s unique assets and to look after the people who live here. Cultural attractions are amongst the finest within the UK with arts, heritage, theatre and performance venues, including the award-winning Firstsite, that provide fantastic entertainment and enrichment for residents plus visitors from further afield.

With plenty of green space including popular parks and country and coastline walks as well as Colchester Zoo there is plenty of open space to enjoy. With the popular Culver Square and Lion Walk shopping centres as well as independent shops the retail experience is everything you would expect from an up and coming city and Colchester is also a city of fantastic food, provided by a range of pubs, cafés, restaurants (including Michelin-starred) and bars.