Citizen magazine Summer 2024 - text version - Work gets under way at The Halls

Work gets under way at The Halls 

Building work has started on the major refurbishment project taking place at Norwich’s historic medieval cultural complex and one of the city’s largest concert venues, The Halls, which is owned and run by the city council.

The work includes a comprehensive upgrade of technical equipment, with significant improvements to accessibility and infrastructure. The redesign will improve the exterior and interior areas to create a more welcoming space, including an enhanced café and bar offer.

The spectacular roof of St Andrew’s Hall is also being re-clad in new copper as part of essential structural repairs. Work is to be carried out on its stained-glass windows and the windows of Blackfriars’ Hall.

Recently announced funding for the project has been an investment of nearly £500,000 from the Arts Council England’s Capital Investment Programme, adding to grants from The Geoffrey Watling Charity, The John Jarrold Trust and Paul Bassham Charitable Trust Fund. A major part of the project’s cost is covered by a substantial contribution from the council’s £3.6 million Town Deal funding secured in 2020.

The 700-year-old complex of buildings is currently closed with N.D. Willan builders now on-site. The city-based family-run contractor has extensive experience of renovating listed buildings.

Decorative hoardings, telling the story of The Halls from medieval days to the present, have been designed by graphic designer and art director Ben Wilson of Norwich-based agency Ben Wilson Creative.

His designs detail the long history of the Grade I listed Scheduled Monument which dates back to the 14th century. In addition to St Andrew’s and Blackfriars’ Halls, the complex includes The Crypt, Becket’s Chapel, The Cloisters and the remains of the Chapter House, The Garth courtyard and the St George’s suite of meeting rooms. It is the most intact medieval friary in England in secular use.

The impressive buildings were purchased for use by the city ‘for the mayor and his bretheren... for their common assemblyes’ during the Reformation following a petition to King Henry VIII in 1538.

Already a successful venue, The Halls present day role as a multi-use venue has seen it host beer festivals, record fairs, weddings, exhibitions, dinners, conferences, music events and classical concerts. Famous visitors have included author Charles Dickens and songstress Jenny Lind, rockers AC/DC, The Pretenders and The Cure.

More information can be found at www.norwich.gov.uk/TheHalls