Client
Colchester Borough Council
Value
£140k
Sectors & Services
Heritage & Listed Concrete Repair Coatings Cleaning & Preparation External Façade Refurbishment
Colchester Town Hall’s clock tower, a prominent civic landmark, underwent a comprehensive restoration in 2016 to preserve its historical and architectural significance. The tower and its three clock faces, central features of the building’s façade, had suffered deterioration over time, affecting the brickwork, stonework, timber supports, and internal structures.
CRL was appointed to deliver a carefully coordinated restoration programme, ensuring structural integrity, aesthetic preservation, and public safety. The project required sensitive handling of heritage elements, particularly the removal and reinstatement of the clock faces, while maintaining safe access around the town centre and minimising disruption to the public.
Services Undertaken
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Brick repairs
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Stone repairs
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Timber repairs to bell supports
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Concrete repairs within the bell tower
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Internal cast iron spiral staircase repair
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Painting of the staircase
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Removal and reinstatement of three clock faces
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Installation of new lighting system behind clock faces
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Scaffold erection supported from ground level
Restoration works commenced with the erection of scaffold fully supported from ground level, providing safe access to all external and internal elements of the clock tower. The three clock faces were removed with extreme care using a controlled pulley system, ensuring public safety on the busy walkway below. Each face was carefully lowered to street level and transported to a nominated specialist for expert restoration.
Brick and stone repairs were carried out to address weathering and material degradation, reinstating the tower’s external fabric while respecting its original appearance. Timber repairs to bell supports ensured structural stability, while concrete repairs within the bell tower addressed internal deterioration. CRL also restored the internal cast iron spiral staircase, removing corrosion and repainting to protect against future degradation.
Throughout the works, careful planning and sequencing allowed simultaneous execution of multiple trades without compromising safety or quality. Once repairs were complete, the restored clock faces were lifted back into position, and a new lighting system was installed behind each face, enhancing visibility and aesthetic impact. The project demonstrated CRL’s ability to deliver complex structural repairs UK in a live urban environment with minimal disruption.
“CRL delivered the clock tower restoration flawlessly, combining expertise, precision, and excellent project management.”
The completed restoration has safeguarded Colchester Town Hall’s clock tower for future generations, providing both structural resilience and enhanced aesthetic quality. By addressing deterioration across brickwork, stone, timber, and concrete elements, CRL improved long-term durability, reduced maintenance needs, and extended the operational life of the tower.
The careful planning and execution ensured public safety and continuity around a busy town centre, reflecting CRL’s expertise in managing heritage-led projects. The project also delivered improved asset management outcomes through the integration of protective finishes and a modern lighting system, demonstrating CRL’s commitment to sustainable, high-quality conservation practices.
