PLANS to turn Colchester’s old police station into a centre for creative businesses are back on track after a £1.5million pledge of support.

In 2011, Colchester Council bought the historic Queen Street building, before securing planning permission to transform it into studio spaces and a cafe and restaurant in 2013.

The authority, working with Firstsite, also secured £500,000 towards the cost of the conversion from the Arts Council.

But that funding was dependent on a successful application for a grant from the European Union’s regional development fund.

When it failed, the project was left in limbo.

Now, Essex County Council has stepped forward to offer its support and is set to tentatively offer £1.5million towards getting it off the ground.

Colchester Council now believes work will start early next year.

For the full report, see Monday's Gazette