Essex news

• The 'bustling' town with 'welcoming atmosphere' many mistake for being in Essex

  01-03-2026 06:20 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  If you question someone from Romford whether they are from Essex or London, it can be a hot topic of discussion.
  
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• Treat your mum to a special afternoon tea at these Essex spots

  01-03-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  With Mother's Day fast approaching, we have compiled a list of some of the county's best spots for a memorable afternoon tea.
  
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• The 4 new shops confirmed to be opening at Lakeside Shopping Centre in 2026

  01-03-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  So far in 2026, there are already a handful of new brands joining the lineup at Lakeside, from fashion to home accesories.
  
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• Nationwide kitchen refurb business planning to move into Colchester city centre

  01-03-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Mr Peter Loftus of Dream Doors Ltd is hoping to change the permission of use for 65 Crouch Street, right next to The Hospital Arms.
  
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• Inside five luxurious Essex multimillion properties with swimming pools

  01-03-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Explore five luxury Essex properties for sale, each with swimming pools, including Chigwell, Hornchurch and Chelmsford mansions.
  
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• All the jobs currently on offer at Colchester Zoo

  01-03-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Colchester Zoo is hiring for four interesting roles, including working with reptiles.
  
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• All of the Essex postcodes that scooped prizes in the Postcode Lottery in February

  01-03-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Several streets across Essex have once again won in the People's Postcode Lottery.
  
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• Jailed in Essex: 14 criminals put behind bars throughout February

  28-02-2026 19:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Fourteen individuals have been sentenced to jail time across Essex throughout February.
  
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• Take a look at these old pictures of Lion Walk Shopping Centre from the 1970s

  28-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  As archaeologists discovered during a huge dig between 1971 and 1974, a large Roman house used to stand on the site in the 4th Century
  
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• Revealed: the Colchester offences that saw no further action in 2025

  28-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Essex Police data shows 17,716 offences, with violence and sexual offences topping the list. Most cases saw no further action.
  
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• Pictures show works continuing to progress at new Burger King site

  28-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Burger King plans to open between Costa Coffee and Nando’s in Stane Leisure Park.
  
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• Essex woman, 19, hopes to inspire other young people after opening business

  28-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Fleur Campion has always wanted to create something to inspire other people, and at the age of 19 she has done just that.
  
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• Essex tattoo studio loved by regulars celebrating milestone after 28 years

  28-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Cosmic Tattoo owner Leigh Oldcorn, 56, founded the studio as a one-man operation and has remained in the city centre.
  
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• Ed Byrne to appear at special guest evening in Essex town

  28-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  The Irish comic will take part in Frinton Comedy Club's special guest evenings at the McGrigor Hall.
  
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• Man 'punched' security guard and threatened him with knife in Tesco robbery

  28-02-2026 17:11 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  A man has been charged after punching a security guard, and threatening him with a knife, while robbing a Tesco in South Ockendon.
  
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• Environmental game changers shortlisted at East Anglia Clean & Green Awards

  28-02-2026 15:30 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Three businesses have been named as finalists for the Game Changer of the Year award, sponsored by Cadeler, at the East Anglia Clean & Green Awards 2026.
  
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• Police escort man home after drivers spotted him using mobility scooter on M11

  28-02-2026 14:37 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Officers escorted a man in his 70s home after he accidentally turned onto the M11 near Harlow.
  
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• New government figures show drop in asylum seekers living in Essex hotels

  28-02-2026 13:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Home Office data shows Chelmsford sees 10.4% drop in asylum seekers in hotel accommodation, but still tops Essex figures outside the London fringe.
  
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• Litter pick campaign on banks of Colchester river to return next month

  28-02-2026 13:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  The Wivenhoe Rivercare Group is supporting the Great British Spring Clean event in March.
  
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• 'It changed our lives' - the Essex grandmother who won £4.5m Cornwall house

  28-02-2026 13:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  A Colchester grandmother has described her £4.5 million dream house win as "mind-boggling" almost three years on.
  
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• In Pictures: Colchester Vegan Festival celebrated at Colchester venue

  28-02-2026 13:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Colchester Town Hall opened its doors for a special event on veganism and protecting animals.
  
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• Free comedy night opens to full house in Colchester with great talent

  28-02-2026 13:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  With a mostly relaxed demeanour and above all honesty, George glided through his set.
  
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• Five events not to miss in Colchester over the next seven days

  28-02-2026 13:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  On Saturday, Dice & A Slice marks Pokémon Day 2026 as Pokémon celebrates its 30th anniversary
  
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• Colchester's inspirational young people celebrated at Jack Petchey Awards

  28-02-2026 13:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Inspirational young people from Colchester were celebrated at a prestigious awards ceremony.
  
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• The Essex gastropubs among best in UK hailed a must-visit for 2026

  28-02-2026 12:30 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  These gastropubs in Essex have been named among the best in the UK, according to Muddy Stilettos.
  
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• LIVE: A12 blocked with delays after multi-vehicle crash near East Bergholt

  28-02-2026 12:17 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Hello and welcome to our live blog. Here we will be updating you on the A12 near East Bergholt, where a multi-vehicle crash has blocked the road with stationary traffic.
  
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• Multi-vehicle crash on A12 near East Bergholt leaves road closed with delays

  28-02-2026 12:07 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  A multi-vehicle crash along the A12 has left the road closed with stationary traffic, and congestion building on back roads near Colchester and Manningtree.
  
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• Sexual predator who lured girl to woods jailed

  28-02-2026 11:45 via bbc.com
  Dominic Boultwood poses a real risk to young girls, say police.
  
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• These areas in and around Colchester could be underwater by 2040

  28-02-2026 11:44 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  An organisation of climate experts has produced a map which highlights all areas, in and around Colchester, that could be flooded and underwater by the year 2040.
  
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• There are 2,008 patients per GP in North East Essex – here's where it is worse

  28-02-2026 10:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  The average ratio for the East of England NHS region is 1,782 registered patients per GP, and across England, the ratio is 1,655 patients per GP.
  
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• 'People thought I used weight loss jabs, but I lost 7st with diet and exercise'

  28-02-2026 10:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  It was when Amy Thompson, 35, stepped onto the scales at her doctor’s surgery that she decided she had to act.
  
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• Energy innovation earns local businesses a spot on awards shortlist

  28-02-2026 09:30 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  CeraPhi Energy, Departure Lounge Media Group and Saxon Air have been named finalists at the Clean & Green Awards 2026.
  
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• Work to replace 800m of ageing gas pipes begins

  28-02-2026 07:27 via bbc.com
  Cadent says traffic management will be in place until work ends in mid-June.
  
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• 'How I became the Lionel Messi of walking football'

  28-02-2026 07:26 via bbc.com
  Spencer Pratten will be given an engraved trophy in the next few weeks.
  
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• Alarm raised after huge clouds of smoke from bonfire drift through Essex village

  28-02-2026 06:21 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  On Wednesday, West Bergholt Parish Council was flooded with reports of thick bonfire smoke.
  
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• Tributes to 'great role model' Essex mum who lost long battle with dementia

  28-02-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Maureen Russell, from Harwich, died on Wednesday, February 4.
  
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• Newly discovered dinosaur to go on public display at Colchester museum

  28-02-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  ‘Juliasaurus’ will go on display at Colchester’s Hollytrees Museum for its first ever public display in April.
  
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• Ex-security guard for Harrods boss caught in Essex with huge cocaine haul

  28-02-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Bradley Pritchard, formerly employed at an Essex hospital and airport, told court he turned to drug dealing after borrowing from a loan shark
  
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• Essex Highways criticised for leaving High Street defect 'for months'

  28-02-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  The crew determined that a footway plate – which goes over the defect - would not provide an adequate level of safety and so the barriers were left in place.
  
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• 'Down to earth' TV presenter spotted filming in Essex town this week

  28-02-2026 06:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Josie Gibson was seen filming at multiple locations across Burnham this week
  
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• Support staff suspend walkout at SEND schools

  27-02-2026 19:08 via bbc.com
  Staff at two schools will not carry out further strike action after a deal was put forward.
  
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• Man accused of armed robbery after Essex shopkeeper threatened with knife

  27-02-2026 19:07 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  The suspect robbed a shop in the street and demanded staff open the till, before fleeing the scene, police say.
  
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• Inmates get extra jail time after violent mutiny

  27-02-2026 18:34 via bbc.com
  Eight prisoners were involved in the mutiny which involved weapons and barricades.
  
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• Colchester ceremony marks four years since invasion of Ukraine by Russia

  27-02-2026 18:01 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Members of the Colchester community gathered to mark February 24, 2022, when Russia launched the largest and deadliest conflict in Europe since the Second World War.
  
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• Woman walks out court free after being wrongfully detained for drug store theft

  27-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  She left the store at around half past 12 without paying for multiple baby products and skin care items valued at £889.20 and drove off in a black Qashqai.
  
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• Woman left 'drowning' after kitchen fire destroyed her home

  27-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  A woman says she feels like she is “drowning” after an electrical kitchen fire destroyed her home.
  
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• University of Essex staff to strike again on these dates

  27-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  University of Essex staff to strike for a further nine days in March over job losses and Southend campus closure.
  
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• Man fined after attack on wine bar staff

  27-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Paul O’Grady visited Whispers Wine Bar in Halstead’s High Street on August 24 last year.
  
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• Holiday park in Essex getting 'Bear Grylls escape rooms' and more in £5m makeover

  27-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  The site is currently getting a big transformation and will reopen next month with a new sports bar called Hat-Tricks, and new indoor and outdoor activities.
  
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• Here's what ITV's Josie Gibson filmed around Burnham in Essex this week

  27-02-2026 18:00 via gazette-news.co.uk
  
  Josie Gibson was seen filming at multiple locations across Burnham this week
  
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