England’s largest municipal water tower has received a £200,000 donation to help secure its future.
Known locally as “Jumbo”, the 40m (131ft) Balkerne Water Tower in Colchester has been empty since it was decommissioned in 1984.
The Garfield Weston Foundation, a family-founded grant-maker, has donated the money to the Jumbo Project in order to keep the building commercially viable.
Simon Hall, chair of North Essex Heritage, which is behind the project, said: “They were clearly taken by Jumbo and our aspirations for it as a community asset and the contribution it will make to Colchester.”
Jumbo brought clean water to the city between 1883 and 1984 but has since fallen into decay.
Work is set to begin early next year to transform the Grade II*-listed building into a destination venue, visitor experience and accessible heritage interpretation space.
It was given an £8m grant from the National Lottery Heritage Fund earlier this year.
The project is also supported by UK Government funding, Historic England and Colchester City Council.
