Citizen September 2025 - text version - Redevelopment of Anglia Square gets underway

Landmark deal for Anglia Square heralds start of site’s redevelopment

After years of frustration, plans to redevelop Anglia Square have really begun to take off.

The project met a series of major milestones over the summer meaning the redevelopment of the 1960s built former shopping centre is hitting the fast lane. Firstly, the city council clinched a landmark deal with Aviva Capital Partners to drive forward the redevelopment which is worth around £350m.

The partnership will now take on the mission to deliver 1,100 new homes and a range of retail outlets and community facilities.

Councillor Mike Stonard, leader of the city council, hailed the partnership as a monumental moment in the city’s history, saying: “I believe our partnership with Aviva, which has called Norwich home since 1792, will come to be seen as an historical partnership in one of England’s most historic cities. The partnership will turbocharge the city’s economy and support our ambition to make Norwich one of England’s finest and fairest cities.”

Ben Luckett, Chair of Aviva Capital Partners and Norwich Community Ambassador, said: “Aviva is proud to be making such a major investment in Norwich, a city which has been our home for over 200 years. This vital regeneration project will bring significant economic and social benefits, helping Norwich get ready for the future. By working with Norwich City Council and Homes England, this will be a development the city can be proud of.

“We’re already proudly taking action to help build financial resilience and employment prospects across Norwich, as well as supporting communities and sustainability projects. Our role in the regeneration of Anglia Square is the next step in our historic partnership with the fine city.”

The partnership is initially using the £34m grant from Homes England to start demolition and remediation of Anglia Square.

Eamonn Boylan, chief executive officer of Homes England, said: “This is a key milestone for the regeneration of Anglia Square, enabling Norwich City Council to move forward in revitalising the city centre, and transforming brownfield land into high-quality homes for local people. As the government’s housing and regeneration agency, we are committed to working in partnership with organisations in both the public and private sector, to achieve their ambitions to build much needed new homes across the country.”

The council has also appointed DSM Demolition who started work in the summer with hard demolition due to start in October.

A boost for business

And as part of the commitment to regenerate the whole area, a new box style park is set to open for trade soon after the council’s planning committee approved plans to create a ‘container village’.

The proposals from Meanwhile Creative - a workspace provider that transforms underused buildings and land into affordable, flexible workspaces, will see a thriving meanwhile space, named St Saviours Yard, comprising 86 containers at the site which will offer an eclectic retail and leisure offer plus workspaces for business start-ups, makers and creatives.

Fred Wyatt, founder at Meanwhile Creative said: “We know that the world of small business is changing. Nationwide there is a shortage of suitable and affordable commercial workspace offering startups, makers and creatives the necessary flexibility to grow and try new things. Whether that flexibility is to grow and shrink or how they adapt and use the space, our aim is to accommodate everyone.”

Councillor Carli Harper, cabinet member for finance and major projects, said: “I am really looking forward to seeing St Saviours Yard up and running. There are great things to come for the whole area with the redevelopment of Anglia Square with hundreds of affordable homes in the pipeline and the prospect of thousands of jobs from demolition to delivery. I am convinced the area will become a thriving, buzzing part of the city and will be seen as a new and exciting chapter in the city of stories.”

Cllr Mike Stonard – leader of the city council
"This will turbocharge the city's economy and support our ambition to make Norwich one of England's finest and fairest citiies."