Jobs in Colchester | Pictures of Colchester

Colchester claims the title as Britain’s oldest city and the most established settlement in the land, with documentary evidence dating back to the 5th century BC. Centuries later and the Romans and later the Norman’s recognised its potential and built what was the largest castle in Europe at the time.

Today, the city is one of the major bases of the British Army, with a broad economy spanning various industries.

Then and now
From the 16th to the 18th century Colchester flourished on the back of the increasing number of Flemish weavers who migrated to East Anglia in their droves, bringing their advanced methods of weaving and stimulating a strong textile trade. By the turn of the 20th century the textile trade was showing signs of decline which was accelerated during the Second World War with the loss of overseas trade to cheaper foreign producers.

The new automotive and engine manufacturing industries soon developed with the likes of Paxman Diesels emerging as one of the biggest companies in the area.
Colchester has a buoyant local economy worth over £17bn but is not over-dependent on any particular sector. And in recent years the city has conformed to the national trend away from manufacturing and agriculture towards the service industry, which now employs around 85% of the local workforce.

The most significant provider of jobs in Colchester is the public sector. The city is responsible for its own governance with the likes of Colchester Borough Council leading the way in the field of public administration, whilst the University of Essex and Colchester Hospital University NHS Foundation Trust make up the majority of employment opportunities on the fields of health and education respectively. Overall, the public sector accounts for 27% (22,000 people) of the workforce.

The university has also stimulated the growth and development of the IT sector which consists of 340 companies employing approximately 600 people in the local area.

With its impressive heritage and equally impressive surroundings, Colchester’s tourism industry has grown from strength to strength. Since 2000, this sector has increased by one-third in employment terms and now provides work for over 5,400 people.

And supporting the tourism trade is one of the fastest growing sectors in the region; retail. With almost 11,000 employees, the retail sector is one of the major success stories in Colchester in recent years and the increase in the number of new stores opening up has seen the city become more competitive when it comes to attracting shoppers in the region.

Being located just 56 miles to the north east of the capital, Colchester has benefitted from the growing trend of banking and financial companies to relocate their operations to more affordable areas. It’s forecasted that this sector will increase by a further 25% over the next decade.

As it stands, there are over 160 financial firms in Colchester employing 3,000 people, 17% of the working population.

Key business districts
Colchester Business Park is a popular choice among local and national companies. Companies such as top law firm Linklaters have relocated to take advantage of the facilities here.

St Botolph’s Quarter in the city centre contains numerous historic and cultural assets such as the Roman Wall, Colchester Castle and St Botolph’s Priory along with a number of retail developments.

If you're thinking of moving to the area, take a look at some of the current property available to buy or let in Colchester.

Take a closer look
A picture is worth a thousand words. You can see some images from in and around Colchester below.

Looking for local vacancies? See all current jobs in Colchester or find out more information on the local area.