 flanked by members of the project team - credit CCC.jpg)
Colchester City Council is pleased to announce that restoration work on the Moot Hall ceiling is nearing completion, following an extensive and highly specialised project to repair and preserve one of the city’s most treasured historic interiors.
The ceiling of the Grade I listed Moot Hall has undergone a meticulous restoration, involving nearly 9,500 hours of skilled craftsmanship. Council leader Cllr David King recently visited the site to inspect progress and thank the restoration team personally.
Cllr King said: “It was good to see such a transformation. A restoration fit for future generations. The team’s dedication has been remarkable – working in difficult, often hot and cramped conditions, at height, to restore this beautiful space. Their efforts have ensured that the Moot Hall will once again serve as a civic and cultural landmark for our community.”
Before works could begin, a formal application to Historic England was required, along with comprehensive bat and owl surveys to safeguard protected species. Given the hall’s heritage status and fragile historic fabric, every element of the project had to be approached with care and precision.
The works were carried out around the iconic Moot Hall Organ, which remained in situ throughout the project. Protected by secure boarding, the organ was even played periodically to ensure its continued condition during the closure.
Key highlights of the restoration include:
- Installation of approximately 4,900 metres of stainless-steel wire, safely tying each individual ornate ceiling panel to the roof structure.
- Creation and installation of 56 new plaster panels, cast to match the hardboard panels in the central section. Additionally, 12 original wooden panels – not part of the original design but deemed to be in good condition – were retained at the request of Historic England.
- Use of around 400 square metres of lambswool insulation, laid in two layers along the ceiling length to maintain traditional building methods and improve energy efficiency.
- The entire project was carried out using tower scaffolds and internal ceiling access, demanding intense physical effort from the restoration team.
The repair works followed serious structural concerns raised in 2022, when surveys revealed the suspended fibrous plaster ceiling had become unstable and unsafe. Since then, the council has worked closely with Historic England and specialist contractors to ensure the ceiling’s preservation and future safety.
The restoration has been delivered over five months at a cost of approximately £350,000, reflecting the specialist nature of the work and the use of traditional heritage techniques. As a Grade I listed building, the Moot Hall must be maintained to exacting conservation standards, in line with statutory obligations.
The Moot Hall is now in the final stages of restoration, with reopening scheduled for Summer 2025. Once complete, it will once again host weddings, concerts, and civic events in one of Colchester’s most architecturally impressive venues.
The restoration has been led by Hirst Conservation, specialists in the repair of historic buildings, under the supervision of Colchester City Council and with guidance from Historic England.
Elizabeth Hirst, CEO of Hirst Conservation, said: “It has been a privilege to work on the ceiling and with the council’s professional team. My team and I greatly appreciated Cllr David King visiting the scaffolding and for his kind words about us.
“I personally would like to thank my team and particularly my project manager, Pawel Ferenc, who has managed this challenging project so well.
“We learnt to love Colchester, while we were there, and hope the community very much enjoy their restored Moot Hall.”
This restoration underscores the council’s responsibility to safeguard Colchester’s historic landmarks while maintaining public safety and enhancing community spaces.
Pictured above: Cllr King (centre) flanked by members of the project team.
Page last reviewed: 6 May 2025