The council has about 384 sites that are rented out on a long term basis to beach hut owners. The sites are on Victoria Esplanade between Seaview Avenue and Broomhills Road. Within this area there is a site known as the Spinney that is not owned by the Council.
Residents and non-residents can rent sites but they provide and maintain their own beach huts. We also rent out some sites to charities. The beach huts are very popular and all sites are rented out at present. We do not operate a waiting list. We do not have any beach huts that we rent out for short term holiday lets.
You need to find a beach hut owner who wants to sell their beach hut. Owners who want to sell their beach huts will usually either put a notice on their beach hut or advertise in the local press. When you purchase the beach hut you need to make sure that the owner completes a transfer form and pays a transfer fee. You should also make sure that there are no unpaid site fees.
The beach hut owner will decide the selling price of the hut. The Council charges a site rental that is payable in advance each year from 1 April. The charge varies with the size and position of the site. You will pay more for a front row beach hut than for a beach hut on another row. We charge a reduced fee for Colchester City residents and a special rate for charities. There is a 25% concession for those in receipt of specific means-tested benefits. Please be aware that ownership of beach huts is subject to National Non Domestic Rate (NNDR), particularly if you are a small business owner. However, it may be possible to claim up to 100% relief for NNDR. For further information and to check if you are eligible to claim a discount, please visit www.colchester.gov.uk/SBRR
In the event of NNDR being payable, an extra invoice will be generated.
Site Rental - Colchester City Residents (inc. VAT) |
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| Charge | With concession |
Front Row - small (2.44m x 3.05m) | £233.57 | £175.52 |
Front Row - large (3.05m x 3.66m) | £345.49 | £302.28 |
Other Row - small (2.44m x 3.05m) | £204.54 | £149.38 |
Other Row - large (3.05m x 3.66m) | £303.99 | £225.35 |
Site Rental - Non City Residents (inc. VAT) |
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Front Row - small (2.44m x 3.05m) | £393.94 | £283.40 |
Front Row - large (3.05m x 3.66m) | £580.23 | £436.72 |
Other Row - small (2.44m x 3.05m) | £352.64 | £245.94 |
Other Row - large (3.05m x 3.66m) | £519.52 | £393.94 |
Plot rental for commercial hire of beach huts |
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Front Row - small (2.44 x 3.05) | £1187.89 | |
Front Row - large (3.05 x 3.66) | £1757.03 | |
Other Row - small (2.44 x 3.05) | £1049.39 | |
Other Row - large (3.05 x 3.66) | £1546.08 | |
Other fees |
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Deck chair hire (1 year) | £254.52 | |
Sailing board hire (1 year) | £516.85 | |
Large front row (charity) | £148.63 | |
You can claim a reduced rate for beach hut hire if you belong to one of the groups listed below. The table also shows the type of evidence we need to process your application.
Concession | Evidence needed |
Income Support | Award letter (dated within 6 months). |
Income based Jobseeker's Allowance | Award letter (dated within 6 months). |
Income related Employment and Support Allowance | Award letter (dated within 6 months |
Pension Credit Guarantee Credit | Award letter (dated within 1 year). |
Working Tax Credit (gross income is £16,010 or less) | Award letter (dated within 1 year). |
Child Tax Credit (gross income is £16,010 or less) | Award letter (dated within 1 year). |
People not in receipt of a benefit but on a low income | HC2 certificate |
Universal Credit | Award letter (dated within 6 months) |
Business Rates - payable in addition to the licence fee. Please visit our website for information regarding Business Rates payable on a Beach Hut, www.colchester.gov.uk/businessrates
Customers who own a beach hut may qualify for Small Business Rate Relief, if they have two or more beach huts they may qualify for Small Business Rate Relief on one property, providing criteria is met.
If you believe you are entitled to this relief, contact our Business Rates Team.
More information on Small Business Rate Relief is available on the Business Rates page of the website. The general contact number for Business Rates is 01206 282300.
Non Commercial usage (standard use and concessions) Transfer Fee for all huts is £389.99
Commercial usage Transfer Fee is £467.77
Payment is required along with a completed transfer form or letter of confirmation with your signature(s). Transfers to a husband, wife, child, parent or sibling are free of charge.
Download the form here
New arrangements are now available for those beach hut owners who wish to offer their beach huts for hire in return for a rental fee. A Beach Hut Agreement (Commercial) is now available. This agreement is specifically worded to permit the commercial hire of beach huts on council land. If this is an area that interests you refer to the agreement, which can be found in the link on this page.
For those beach hut owners who intend to use their beach hut for their own personal enjoyment only and do not wish to offer their huts for commercial hire there are no changes to the previous arrangement. If you wish to take up a Beach Hut Agreement (Commercial) in place of your standard beach hut agreement consider the agreement and declarations below. You can contact us at the address via the link provided and we will be able to progress your application.
Beach Hut Commercial Licence
Beach Hut Commercial Licence Statutory Notice
Beach Hut Commercial Licence Declaration
Season ticket (12 months): £60.00
For more help or information, please: