Urgent works to safeguard the tower of Colchester’s Grade II‑listed Natural History Museum will start this year, after Colchester City Council's Cabinet approved essential repairs.

Structural surveys have confirmed that significant areas of the flint façade and the roof are at risk of failure. The council expects the project to cost in excess of £1 million.

The intervention follows an incident in September 2024 when part of the tower’s flint facing detached on the east side of the building. The tower has since been fully wrapped in scaffolding to stabilise the structure and enable specialists to investigate the damage safely.

Without these repairs, the tower would continue to deteriorate, heightening the risk of collapse, disrupting museum operations and potentially leading to far higher emergency costs in future.

The approved funding will cover repairs to the failing flint work, replacement of the roof using materials appropriate to a Grade II‑listed building, the installation of safe access systems, and the necessary scaffolding, heritage permissions, specialist conservation and professional fees required for a listed building project of this complexity.

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A bid has been submitted to the national Museum Estate Development Fund (MEND). If successful, it will reduce the final capital sum required, but the condition of the tower means the schedule cannot wait on the outcome.

Despite the extensive protective scaffolding, the museum remains open and safe to visit. The council is keen to reassure residents that the venue continues to welcome families, schools and visitors from across the region.

The decision paves the way for the scaffolding to be removed sooner once works progress, reinstating the museum's visual prominence on the High Street.

The repairs align with Wild About Essex — a £5 million programme to reimagine the museum for the future. The project will deliver new exhibitions, interactive spaces for families and schools, and activities focused on nature, climate and community.

Backed by national funders including Art Fund and the National Heritage Lottery Fund, Wild About Essex will help create a more vibrant, accessible and resilient cultural attraction for Colchester. Making the tower safe and watertight is a crucial foundation for these planned improvements.

The next steps include securing listed building consent, advancing procurement at pace, and appointing a contractor through competitive tender, with the intention of starting on site as soon as possible.