1What is Trick and Treats?
Trick and Treats is a free Halloween-themed, family-friendly community project for Colchester, taking place between 1st-31st October 2022. The project includes an app (designed and developed by KAT Marketing) and a spooky trail of 30 venues across the city. At each venue, app users can scan a QR code and unlock some scarily good rewards – either a trick, or a treat, assigned at random. The more venues users visit, and milestones they reach, the more rewards they can unlock. Visit all our venues to reveal a spooky image behind the puzzle pieces…
Wrap up warm and head out into the city this Halloween season… let the adventure begin!
2How do I download the app?
The app is free and available in your normal app stores. Search for ‘Trick and Treats’ or use the buttons at the top or bottom of the page.
3What are the trail dates?
The trail is live – and QR codes will be out and accessible for scanning – from 1st-31st October 2022.
4Is it free to get involved?
Yes – the Trick and Treats trail is free to follow, and the app is free to download. Note that you will need to have a good connection to the internet via Wi-Fi or mobile data to access all app features.
5Is Trick and Treats family friendly?
Yes; the project, app, trail and its rewards are all designed to be enjoyed by people of all ages, including children – the vibe is spooky, not scary.
6Where do I find the QR codes and unlock the rewards?
The trail is taking place in Colchester city centre, which is where you will find participating venues and printed QR codes for scanning. You can find a list of participating venues on the ‘Venues’ tab on the app and addresses are listed on individual Venue/Reward screens. Additionally, you can view their locations on the ‘Map’ tab; each venue is marked with a pin. If you wish, you can turn on your location to help you navigate to each, where you will find the QR code to scan.
7How do I scan the QR codes?
Once you locate a QR code, open the app and tap the orange scanner button in the centre, at the bottom, of the app. Point your camera at the printed QR code and the reward will unlock. If you have any problems, pop to another app screen before tapping the button to try again; or close and reopen the app if needed.
Note that you will need to have a good connection to the internet (via Wi-Fi or mobile data) to access all app features and for the app to function as intended. We always recommend ensuring you have the latest version of the app so do check your app store for updates. With any persisting issues, contact the T&T team at info@trickandtreats.co.uk
8What kind of rewards can I unlock?
Trick and treat rewards are supplied by the venues and range from free items, discounts, competitions, dares, forfeits, interactive elements and more. Scan the QR codes at each venue to unlock your rewards!
9Can I choose whether my reward is a trick or a treat?
Whenever you scan a QR code at a participating venue, it will unlock a reward; this will either be a trick or a treat. Tricks and treats are assigned at random – so you cannot choose which kind of reward you unlock each time, but that’s all part of the fun! Venue staff cannot change or overrule this in the app. Don’t fear though, the app won’t let you get more than any 3 tricks or treats in a row.
10How do I claim my rewards?
Once you scan a QR code and unlock a trick or a treat, the app should provide instructions for how to claim, and will provide T&Cs, so give these a read. When you visit a venue to collect, or use, a reward, you must show proof of reward on your app screen to the staff member and tap the Pumpkin icon and follow instructions to mark the reward as claimed.
If you unlock entry into a prize draw, you must tap the Pumpkin icon to confirm your entry (and submit your name and email address) into the draw and mark the reward as claimed.
11What is a milestone/what are milestone rewards?
The more venues you visit, and QR codes you scan, the more rewards you will unlock! You achieve a milestone whenever you visit 5, 10, 15, 20, 25 and all 30 venues; reaching each of these milestones will unlock an additional reward, which you can find under the ‘Milestones’ tab on your reward list screen.
What’s more, each time you unlock a milestone reward, one puzzle piece will be removed from the puzzle on your Stats page… remove them all the reveal the spooky image!
12How long do I have to unlock and collect my rewards?
The trail is live from 1st-31st October, during which time you can access and scan QR codes to unlock your rewards. Some rewards, once unlocked, expire at the end of the trail, but others expire one week, or longer, after the trail is closed. Make sure to check T&Cs of all rewards to avoid disappointment.
13What if a venue is closed?
QR codes should be accessible to unlock tricks and treats at all times, but shop and venue opening hours will apply and vary when collecting rewards. We would recommend that you check reward T&Cs and venue opening hours in advance to avoid disappointment. Venue contact information is available on individual reward screens.
14How can I get in touch?
You can get in touch with the T&T team using the form below, emailing us at
info@trickandtreats.co.uk or via social media. Search for ‘Trick and Treats’ on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram – don’t forget to follow us for updates and the best spooky content! #TrickandTreatsColchester
15Who is behind the project?
The Trick and Treats project, including the trail and app, has been designed and developed by the team at KAT Marketing, with support from Colchester Borough Council and Our Colchester BID, including allocated funding from Section 106. KAT Marketing are also delighted to see the trail supported by venues participating in the trail who have kindly arranged and provided trick and treat rewards for app users.
16I am a venue in Colchester city centre; how do I get involved?
All venues have been secured for the project this year, but we’d love you to reach out about future projects including Trick and Treats next year! Get in touch with the T&T team using the form below, emailing us at
info@trickandtreats.co.uk, via social media, or call us on 01206 765544.
