Plans have been published for regenerating Norwich City Hall.

Norwich City Council’s scrutiny panel will discuss and comment on the report on Thursday, October 16, before a final version is taken to cabinet for a decision later in the Autumn.

The plans include:

  • Creating flexible workspaces
  • New public areas on the ground floor and civic spaces on the first floor
  • A new ‘Civic Living Room’ to provide a public space for meetings, events, talks, and exhibitions
  • Improved accessibility
  • Enhancing and making better use of the building’s lightwells to enable more exhibitions and events
  • Workspace modernisation to support agile working, improve space efficiency, enhance wellbeing and encourage collaboration

The report said the plans would also boost footfall in the city centre boosting the economy by at least £53 million.

Cllr Carli Harper, cabinet member for finance and major projects said: “We believe these proposals will preserve City Hall’s heritage and enshrine its status as a much-loved public building while enabling it to become a lightning rod for boosting the city’s economy.

“Our plans will mean a modern accessible City Hall which will be more open to the public and provide a shovel ready scheme for any outcome of the Local Government Review.”

Council officers are seeking a further £1m to take the project to the next stage to obtain listed building consent.

The next stage will be funded from council reserves and will pay for a professional team to take forward the submission of listed build consent which will include architectural fees and the practical development of proposals.

Cllr Harper added: “Simply put, we cannot leave things as they are. A do-nothing approach risks the future of City Hall. Investing now will secure City Hall’s viable future as an iconic city landmark for the rest of the century.”

Subject to approval by the cabinet, the council will consult the public on the final proposals in the new year.

The report can be seen here.

© Eastern Echo (powered by ukpropertyforums.com).

Sign up to receive our weekly free journal, The Forum here.