COLCHESTER Castle will be amongst the attractions set to reopen their doors to the public next month after Prime Minister Boris Johnson effectively called an end to lockdown measures.

With restrictions set to be eased to allow the hospitality and tourism sectors to reopen, Colchester’s attractions, such as its Firstsite art gallery, are raring to go.

Sally Shaw, Firstsite’s director, welcomed the announcement.

“We have been planning our reopening for quite a while, even without knowing necessarily when the Government will say we can open, or when the funding will be in place to enable us to do so,” she said.

“It is about knowing we have got the right support from our funders to be able to make plans to reopen, with the right equipment and cleaning cycle in place.

“I can’t say exactly when we will be reopening, but I can talk about what we are planning to do when we reopen.

“We carried out an survey and had 1,000 replies, people told us exactly what they want - they want to be able to socialise.

“We are a great place to do that, with lots of space in the building and outside the building.

“People also want the opportunity to talk about what’s happened.”

The gallery is planning exhibitions designed to respond to the fallout coronavirus pandemic, reflecting on the impact on people’s mental wellbeing.

One will feature a collaboration with Colchester Hospital staff.

The gallery will also look to run its holiday fun programme, which offers children a day out and a nutritional meal.

Colchester Council will re-open the town’s Norman castle.

Tourism boss Julie Young said a provisional date for reopening had been July 17 but this could change following the Prime Minister’s announcement.

“Closing our museums temporarily was a difficult but necessary decision, so we are thrilled to be able to welcome visitors back to the historic jewel in Colchester’s crown,” she said.

A council spokesman said safety measures will include asking visitors to call in advance to book a slot, operating a new queuing system outside the castle and a one way system inside.

Warning signs and hand sanitiser stations will be installed and visitors will be unable to touch some interactive displays.

He added: “While we are also looking to reopen the Visitor Information Centre as soon as possible, plans to open Hollytrees and the Natural History Museum are yet to be confirmed.”