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Council consider options for iconic City Hall that would bring millions to Norwich economy

Front of City Hall Published on Wednesday, 2nd October 2024

Next Thursday (10 October), scrutiny committee will consider a report setting out options to transform City Hall that could bring more than £100million in economic benefit to the city.

The report considers a wide range of possible future uses for the building and identifies the options that would benefit the city most.

The historic, Grade 2* listed, heritage building, in its prominent position facing the castle and overlooking the market, has been the seat of local government in Norwich since 1938.

The options recommend that Norwich City Council business and its civic activities would remain at City Hall.

The first option would see the building refurbished to provide better public access, fit for purpose council office space, grade A lettable space and event and conference opportunities.

The second option would go a step further by also adding an extension to the rear for office, hotel, or residential use, bringing further significant growth to the Norwich economy.

This option also proposes a new, publicly accessible, landscaped courtyard to the rear and improvements to the public spaces around City Hall. 

Council Leader, Cllr Mike Stonard, said: “Our stunning building has so much to love, and we need to make sure it’s not only fit for the future but make the most of our cherished asset for the city.

“We are in the early stages of that journey and now have some viable options we can consider taking to the next stage of exploration and design.

“The strategic outline case to re-imagine City Hall has identified the potential for up to £102million in economic benefits, depending on the scale of the option taken forward.

“This could be a huge opportunity for the council to create a future for the building that has far wider benefits for the city.

“We also know we must make best use of the building to provide inclusive and accessible services and allow council colleagues to work in a more open and modern way.

“The report also considers how we could create these benefits whilst reducing the environmental impact of the building and moving us closer to our net zero targets.” 

Architects Hawkins\Brown have been working with the council to develop the report and Partner, Adam Cossey, said: “We are delighted to be working with Norwich City Council on this once in a life-time project. 

“The re-imaging of this impressive, historic building presents a compelling opportunity for City Hall to be a beacon for communities across Norwich to come together. Addressing accessibility and inclusivity will allow the doors to be open for all and better connect to the surrounding site.

“Working with the building, and not against it, presents further opportunity to create a fit for purpose workspace for the council that enables better collaboration and deliver democracy for the people of Norwich”. 

On 16 October, following feedback from scrutiny committee, cabinet will consider whether to take either of the options to the next stage of development with a full business case.

Cllr Stonard added: “Right now we are developing feasibility and concepts and are not just assuming what the public will want as the project is at a much earlier stage than that.

“If it goes to the next stage of business case development there would be engagement with stakeholders including residents, businesses, partners and the voluntary and creative sector.

“We would want to gather ideas and thoughts on the transformation of the building and are clear that if this work progresses consultation will be vital to making the right decisions for the city.”

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