Georgi Agov – Amphora Group

Amphora Connect’s full-fibre network to West Mersea goes live

Posted on August 18, 2026 | by Georgi Agov

Expanding a growing city-wide network

Across Colchester, Amphora Connect, part of Amphora Group and one of Colchester City Council’s commercial companies, has already laid more than 90,000km of fibre in urban areas, with ultrafast services provided over its retail and wholesale networks now serving over 3,000 properties. The network has capacity to reach almost 30,000 homes and businesses in Colchester and nearby villages as the rollout continues.

First customers connected on Mersea Island

Working closely with its network build partner and co-investor, Birch Technical Services (BTS), which is also based in Mersea, Amphora Connect has completed an 18km direct fibre link between Colchester city centre and West Mersea. Overcoming the challenges of connecting rural communities and crossing The Strood, the project has brought high-capacity fibre infrastructure directly to the island. BTS has also delivered a brand-new local network, with the first customers now connected. We were delighted that the first business to sign up was Mersea Homes, one of the island’s most prominent businesses.

A faster, more reliable digital future

Full-fibre networks use 100% fibre optic cables to transmit data at the speed of light, offering a connection dramatically faster and more reliable than older copper lines. Amphora Connect’s network provides download and upload speeds of up to 10Gbps, speeds that were unimaginable even a few years ago. Residents and businesses in West Mersea are now able to choose affordable, reliable full-fibre broadband from Amphora Connect.

Cllr Venessa Moffat, Interim Chair of Amphora said: “Thriving cities like Colchester depend on strong digital infrastructure to unlock growth, opportunity and prosperity. Reliable connectivity is essential for residents, businesses and visitors alike, supporting everything from remote working and online services to education, healthcare and leisure. By investing in our Amphora Connect full fibre network, we are futureproofing Colchester’s infrastructure, improving resilience, attracting investment, and helping local businesses grow. Most importantly, we’re ensuring our communities can access the fast, reliable connectivity they need both today and for generations to come.”

Residents and businesses interested in upgrading to full fibre can find out more here.

Colchester Events shortlisted for two Colchester Business Awards 2026

Posted on August 7, 2026 | by Georgi Agov

Colchester Events, part of Amphora Group, is celebrating double success after being shortlisted in two categories at the Colchester Business Awards: Contribution to Theatre & Arts (Charter Hall) and Live Entertainment Venue (Charter Hall & Castle Park).

The nominations recognise the organisation’s role in delivering some of Colchester’s largest and most popular live entertainment, cultural and community events through Charter Hall and Castle Park.

Colchester Events, delivered by Amphora Trading Limited and owned by Colchester City Council, contributed nearly £24 million to the city’s economy in 2024/25, attracting more than 293,000 visitors to concerts, festivals, theatre performances, and community events, according to an independent economic impact report by Counterculture Partnership LLP.

The scale of Colchester Events’ impact extends far beyond entertainment. More than 179,000 people travel into Colchester each year to attend events, helping to drive footfall, tourism, and spending within the local economy.

At Charter Hall, the team delivers more than 150 events annually, welcoming over 100,000 attendees to a diverse programme of music, comedy, theatre, and family entertainment. Meanwhile, major concerts and live events in Castle Park attract tens of thousands of visitors, including more than 65,000 concert goers attending large-scale performances and over 76,000 visitors attending festivals and community events.

James Young, Operations Manager of Amphora Events, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be shortlisted in both categories. These nominations are a testament to the hard work, creativity, and dedication of the entire Events team, as well as the continued support of our audiences, partners, and the wider community.”

“Our aim has always been to create memorable experiences that bring people together, support the local economy, and contribute to Colchester’s cultural offer. To be recognised for that work is a tremendous honour.”

Amphora Group is now encouraging residents, audiences, partners and supporters to cast their vote in the Colchester Business Awards.
Whether you’ve attended a concert in Castle Park, enjoyed a show at Charter Hall, supported a community festival, or simply value the role of arts and entertainment in the city, every vote helps recognise the impact live events have on Colchester’s communities, culture, and economy.

Vote for Colchester Events: www.colchesterbusinessawards.co.uk/vote-now

Every vote helps celebrate the value of arts, culture and live entertainment in Colchester and recognises the teams working behind the scenes to make these experiences possible.
Voting is now open until 17 September 2026.

Winners of the Colchester Business Awards will be announced on 8 October 2026 at Colchester Town Hall.

Local emergency response service helping cut ambulance demand across North East Essex

Posted on August 3, 2026 | by Georgi Agov

A local emergency response service is playing a growing role in reducing pressure on ambulances and hospitals by helping older and vulnerable residents stay safe at home falling falls.

Helpline 24/7, which supports thousands of people across North East Essex, provides 24-hour telecare monitoring and rapid response to incidents such as non-injury falls, often arriving on scene before an ambulance is required.

With around half of people aged over 80 experiencing at least one fall every year, demand on emergency services continues to rise. Services like Helpline 24/7 are increasingly being recognised as a vital part of the solution, helping to prevent avoidable callouts and hospital admissions.

The team responds to pendant alarm activations, welfare concerns and ‘no voice contact’ alerts, incidents where a resident may be unable to reach or speak to the alarm unit, often indicating a fall or serious issue.

In one recent incident, a local resident triggered her alarm but was unable to respond. Treating the situation as urgent, Helpline 24/7 dispatched a trained response team, who attended alongside neighbours and helped her safely before paramedics arrived.

The resident, Mrs V, later contacted the service from hospital to thank staff personally for their support.

Cllr Venessa Moffat, Interim Chair of Amphora, said: “Services like Helpline 24/7 are becoming increasingly important as demand on health and emergency services grows. By responding quickly to incidents such as falls, the team helps reduce unnecessary pressure on ambulances and hospitals while allowing residents to maintain their independence.”

Helpline 24/7 has been operating for more than 25 years and works closely with local health and care partners. Its specialist response teams are trained to assist residents after a fall, helping many remain safely at home rather than waiting extended periods for emergency services.

Nicola Cable, Monitoring and Response Service Manager, said: “A ‘no voice contact’ alarm is always treated as an emergency, because someone may be unable to move or call for help. Our role is to get there quickly, provide reassurance, and ensure people are safe, often avoiding the need for hospital care.”

As the population ages and demand for urgent care increases, community-based response services are expected to play an increasingly important role in supporting overstretched NHS services.

For more information, visit www.helpline.co.uk

Amphora Events set to deliver major economic boost with Colchester Castle Summer Series 2026

Posted on July 13, 2026 | by Georgi Agov

Amphora Events is preparing to deliver another significant economic boost to Colchester this summer, as the highly anticipated Colchester Castle Summer Series 2026 gets ready to welcome thousands of visitors to the city.

Building on a landmark year that saw Amphora Events generate nearly £24 million in economic impact for Colchester, the council-owned events programme is once again set to play a central role in driving local growth, tourism and cultural vibrancy.

A major driver for the local economy

The Castle Summer Series has already proven to be one of the region’s biggest economic contributors, generating £6.5 million in visitor spending last year alone and supporting hundreds of jobs across hospitality, retail and transport.

With a blockbuster 2026 line-up featuring Billy Ocean, Becky Hill, Bastille, Richard Ashcroft, Fatboy Slim and more, this year’s series is expected to attract large audiences from across the UK, bringing increased footfall, overnight stays and spend into Colchester.

As demand for live music and outdoor experiences continues to grow, Amphora Events is forecasting another strong year of economic return, reinforcing Colchester’s position as a key cultural destination in the East of England.

Strengthening Colchester’s national profile

With nearly 300,000 attendees across Amphora’s events programme last year, including a significant proportion of visitors travelling into the city, large-scale events like the Castle Summer Series are helping to raise Colchester’s profile on a national stage.

• Beyond the immediate economic benefits, the series plays a vital role in:

• Boosting the local visitor economy and extending stays

• Supporting independent businesses across the city centre

• Showcasing Colchester as a leading destination for live events

• Enhancing civic pride and community engagement

• Cultural impact that goes beyond the numbers

Amphora Events continues to demonstrate that live events deliver more than just financial return. Research shows that attending live music significantly improves wellbeing, while also fostering shared experiences and stronger social connections.

The Castle Summer Series transforms one of Colchester’s most iconic locations into a vibrant cultural hub, bringing people together and creating memorable experiences for residents and visitors alike.

A platform for continued growth

Following the success highlighted in the independent economic impact report, Amphora Events remains focused on growing its ambitious programme, with the Castle Summer Series acting as a key pillar of its future strategy.

By combining high-quality programming with strong commercial performance, Amphora continues to prove the value of council-backed cultural investment in driving both economic growth and public benefit.

Cllr Venessa Moffat, Interim Chair of Amphora said: “The Castle Summer Series has become one of the region’s premier live music events, attracting visitors from across the country while generating substantial benefits for Colchester’s economy. The success of the series reflects the strength of our city’s cultural offer and reinforces Colchester’s growing reputation as a destination for high-quality events. Beyond the economic impact, these events create lasting memories, bring communities together and contribute to the vibrancy of our city.”

Tickets for the Colchester Castle Summer Series 2026 are on sale now: Colchester Events Online Box Office

£1.6 million invested by Amphora in Colchester’s venues, digital infrastructure and vulnerable residents

Posted on June 25, 2026 | by Georgi Agov

Amphora Group has invested more than £1.6 million over recent years in Colchester City Council assets, citywide digital infrastructure, and vital support to help vulnerable residents stay digitally connected – investment made possible through the Group’s strong commercial performance and ability to generate income on behalf of the council.

As a wholly owned company of Colchester City Council, Amphora not only reinvests directly into local facilities and services, strengthening our public spaces and modernising our facilities, but also returns a financial dividend to the Council, helping to support frontline services and reduce pressure on Council finances.

Investing in Colchester’s venues and public spaces

Over the last two years, Amphora Events has invested just over £250,000 in council‑owned venues and assets, including improvements at Castle Park and Charter Hall.

These improvements are helping to attract more visitors, support local businesses and increase income opportunities, while enhancing accessibility and the overall experience for residents and visitors alike.

Recent works include upgraded seating and technical equipment at Charter Hall, alongside improved access routes and utilities in Castle Park to better support concerts, festivals and major community events.

Strengthening the city’s digital infrastructure

Alongside physical venue upgrades, Amphora Connect has invested nearly £500,000 over the past four to five years in Colchester’s digital infrastructure, including more than £200,000 during 2025/26 alone.

This investment has supported the expansion and resilience of the city’s digital networks, helping to futureproof council services, enabling more efficient delivery, improving connectivity for residents and businesses, and supporting economic growth across the city, including improvements to fibre infrastructure in locations such as the city centre and Mersea Island.

Supporting vulnerable residents through the digital switchover

In addition, Amphora run Helpline has invested £850,000 to upgrade analogue customer equipment and ensure households are ready for the national digital switchover.

This work has focused on supporting vulnerable residents by upgrading equipment in people’s homes and safeguarding access to essential services, helping residents remain independent while also reducing pressure on NHS health and care services.

Delivering social value and financial return

Together, these combined investments total £1.6 million, reflecting how Amphora delivers both social value and financial return.

By generating income commercially and reinvesting locally, Amphora plays a key role in supporting the Council’s financial sustainability, enabling continued investment in services, infrastructure and communities while helping to manage costs for residents.

Cllr Venessa Moffat, Interim Chair of Amphora, said: “This investment shows how we are taking a joined-up approach to improving Colchester, investing not just in buildings and infrastructure, but also in people. Whether it’s upgrading our venues, strengthening the city’s digital foundations or ensuring vulnerable residents remain connected, this is about building a city that is resilient, inclusive and fit for the future.”

Cllr Paul Dundas, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “Amphora plays an important role in helping the Council deliver for residents. As well as improving our venues, strengthening digital infrastructure and supporting vulnerable people, it generates income that is reinvested into local services.

“This means we can continue to deliver priorities for our communities while helping to manage financial pressures and protect value for money for residents.”

The Ticket Has Dropped and Colchester’s Summer2026 Is Looking Unmissable

Posted on April 24, 2026 | by Georgi Agov

A Summer Programme to Get Excited About

Inside The Ticket, you’ll find a vibrant line-up running from May through to September 2026, covering everything from live music and comedy to theatre, festivals, family events and cultural experiences.

This summer sees internationally recognised artists, much-loved tribute acts and brilliant homegrown events taking over some of Colchester’s most iconic spaces. From huge open-air shows in Castle Park, to packed nights at Charter Hall, intimate performances at Town Hall, and community-focused events across St Nicholas Square and Old Heath Recreation Ground, the programme reflects both scale and variety.

Whether you’re booking months in advance or looking for something to do this weekend, The Ticket is designed to make planning your next great night out easy.

Incredible Venues, Right in the Heart of the City

One of the things that makes Colchester’s events scene so special is its setting. Our venues are woven directly into the city centre and surrounding green spaces, creating experiences that feel accessible, welcoming and full of character.

• Castle Park transforms into a stunning open-air destination for summer concerts, festivals and theatre.

• Charter Hall continues to attract major touring shows and sell-out audiences.

• Town Hall offers a historic backdrop for music, talks and cultural events.

• St Nicholas Square is fast becoming a lively public stage for community events, live performances and seasonal celebrations.

• Old Heath Recreation Ground hosts large-scale festivals and family-friendly days that bring people together.

Each venue plays a role in shaping a programme that feels diverse, inclusive and distinctly Colchester.

More Than Events – A Whole Night Out

The Ticket doesn’t stop at what’s on stage. It also celebrates the wider experience of going out in Colchester.

From pre-show dining and cocktails to outdoor food, drink and live music at Lion Walk Courtyard, the guide highlights places to meet friends, start the evening and keep the atmosphere going long after the main event. It’s all about creating a complete night out — one that supports local businesses while making the most of the city centre.

There’s also a strong focus on community, wellbeing and safety, with practical information to help people plan ahead, get home safely and enjoy events with confidence.

Big Ideas, Delivered by a Dedicated Team

Behind every event listed in The Ticket is a passionate team working to bring big ideas to life. From booking talent and managing venues to programming public spaces and supporting local creatives, Colchester Events plays a key role in shaping the city’s cultural calendar.

As part of the Amphora Group, profits generated through events are reinvested back into services that benefit Colchester’s residents — meaning every ticket purchased helps support the city in a meaningful way.

This latest edition is a clear reflection of the ambition behind the programme: to deliver high-quality experiences, attract visitors, support the local economy and create moments that people genuinely look forward to.

Get Your Copy

You can read The Ticket online now, or pick up a physical copy at the Colchester Visitor Information Centre. Whether you’re a regular event-goer or just looking for inspiration, it’s the perfect place to discover what’s happening across the city this summer.

Colchester is alive with music, laughter, creativity and community – and The Ticket is your front-row pass.