Author: Georgi Agov

Amphora Events, part of Amphora Group and wholly owned by Colchester City Council, has delivered a significant economic boost to Colchester through the success of the 2026 Colchester Castle Summer Series, with businesses across the city reporting increased footfall, stronger trading and a vibrant atmosphere throughout the concert programme.

Thousands of music fans travelled to Colchester this summer to attend a series of sold-out performances in the historic grounds of Colchester Castle, generating increased activity across retail, hospitality, transport and tourism sectors.

Following last year’s independent economic impact report, which revealed Amphora Events generated almost £24 million for the local economy annually and £6.5 million through the Castle Summer Series alone, early feedback from businesses across the city suggests the 2026 programme has once again delivered substantial benefits for Colchester’s visitor economy.

Many businesses, including Chappell‘s, The George and Millets, reported trading levels comparable to the busy Christmas period, with concertgoers spending time and money across the city before and after performances. Millets even sold out of raincoats by 10am ahead of the final two concerts, highlighting the strength of visitor demand and footfall generated by the event.

Businesses feel the benefit
Independent retailer Claydons praised the positive impact the events had on the city centre.

A spokesperson said: “The boost from the Summer Series really helped us this year and I’m sure many other businesses felt the same, particularly independents. The town was buzzing, which was really lovely to see.”

Department store Fenwick Colchester also recorded increased activity throughout the event period, with store footfall rising by approximately five per cent and particularly strong visitor numbers on concert days.

Mark Turner, Store Director at Fenwick Colchester, said: “The Summer Series continues to be a brilliant showcase for Colchester, bringing people together and creating a vibrant atmosphere across the city centre. It’s fantastic to see the positive impact these events have on local businesses and the wider community, and we’re proud to have played our part through our MyFenwick Loyalty Programme and VIP Lounge sponsorship.

“We look forward to seeing the event continue to grow and attract even more visitors to Colchester in the years ahead.”

Department store Fenwick Colchester also recorded increased activity throughout the event period, with store footfall significantly rising and particularly strong visitor numbers on concert days.

More than music
Beyond the direct economic impact, the Summer Series once again transformed the city centre into a vibrant destination, attracting visitors from across Essex and beyond while showcasing Colchester as a leading cultural and events destination.

The programme featured performances from internationally recognised artists including Billy Ocean, Becky Hill, Hollywood Vampires, Bastille, Richard Ashcroft and Fatboy Slim, drawing audiences of all ages and helping to strengthen Colchester’s reputation as one of the East of England’s premier locations for live outdoor entertainment.

The success of the series demonstrates how major cultural events can support local businesses, drive visitor spending and create a positive sense of pride within the community.

Cllr Dundas, Leader of Colchester City Council, said: “The Colchester Castle Summer Series is a fantastic example of how major events support our local economy, bringing thousands of visitors into the city centre and delivering real benefits for businesses It is one of many large-scale events held in Colchester throughout the year that help drive this footfall, boost to spending and reinforce the city’s reputation as a vibrant and thriving destination.”

James Young, Operations Manager of Amphora Events, said: “Colchester is proud if its history and cultural offering. The Summer Series compliments the programme of entertainment provided by venues across the year. Working alongside The Mercury, Firstsite, Charter Hall and Colchester Arts Centre, the Summer Series brings something different to the city every August. An opportunity to see internationally known artists in the beautiful setting of Castle Park, encouraging people to visit or extend their stays in Colchester benefiting the local economy.”

Looking Ahead to 2027
Following another successful year, Amphora Events has already confirmed that the Colchester Castle Summer Series will return to Castle Park in 2027.

The first headline acts have already been announced, with Simply Red and Ronan Keating & BLUE set to take to the stage next summer, promising another exciting programme of world-class entertainment in the heart of the city.

Cllr Venessa Moffat, Interim Chairperson of Amphora Group, said: “It’s incredibly encouraging to hear first-hand from local businesses about the positive difference the Summer Series has made to trading across the city.

“These events are about so much more than the performances on stage. They bring visitors into Colchester, support local businesses, create memorable experiences and help showcase everything our city has to offer.

“The feedback we’ve received demonstrates the value of investing in major events that deliver both cultural and economic benefits, and we’re excited to build on this success as we look ahead to Summer Series 2027.”

Pre-sale access registration for the announced Summer Series 2027 headline acts is now live:
Simply Red
Ronan Keating and BLUE

Culver Square is set to welcome a brand-new Christmas ice rink this festive season, running from Saturday 5th December 2026 until Sunday 3rd January 2027.

The new ice rink will be located in the heart of Colchester city centre and will give families, friends and visitors the chance to enjoy skating on real ice as part of their Christmas celebrations. The rink will also be covered, allowing visitors to enjoy the experience whatever the weather. Push-along penguins will be available for children and those who are less confident on the ice, while ice skating lessons will also be available to book for those wanting to improve their skating.

Registration is now live on colchestericerink.com, allowing visitors to keep up to date with the latest news and receive discount codes for selected sessions. Public ticket pre-sales go live soon, so don’t forget to book early to secure your preferred skating time.

David Robertson, Centre Manager at Culver Square, said:

“We’re absolutely delighted to be bringing a brand-new Christmas ice rink to Culver Square this festive season. Christmas is all about spending time with family and friends, and we wanted to create something truly special that people of all ages can enjoy together.

“The rink will feature real ice and will be covered, meaning visitors can enjoy the experience whatever the British winter weather has in store. It will bring a fantastic new festive attraction into the heart of Colchester, giving residents and visitors another reason to come into the city centre, enjoy everything it has to offer and make some special Christmas memories.

“We’re incredibly excited to see the rink take shape at Culver Square and to help create a real sense of festive atmosphere in the city centre. It’s something completely new for Culver Square and we hope it will become a much-loved part of Christmas in Colchester for many years to come.

With registration now live, the excitement is already beginning to build, and we can’t wait to welcome families, friends, shoppers, and visitors onto the ice from Saturday 5th December.”

Culver Square is also inviting commercial and community partners to get involved with the event. Businesses, organisations, and community groups interested in exploring partnership, sponsorship or promotional opportunities are encouraged to get in touch to discuss how they could become part of this exciting new festive attraction.

The Christmas ice rink will form part of Culver Square’s festive offering for 2026, bringing a major new seasonal attraction and activity to the centre for visitors to enjoy throughout the Christmas period, from 5th December 2026 to 3rd January 2027. With shops, restaurants and other attractions in and around Colchester city centre, the ice rink will give visitors the opportunity to combine a festive day out with Christmas shopping, dining and exploring everything the city centre has to offer.

For more information and to register for updates, visit colchestericerink.com.

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.

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

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.”

A Summer Programme to Get Excited About