Anglia Square

Anglia Square is a shopping centre in the north of Norwich city centre, in Norfolk, England. Opened in 1970, it was part of a larger Norwich redevelopment during this period, which was also complemented by the establishment of the nearby HMSO building, Sovereign House, which opened in 1969. The square took six years to build, but was never actually finished.

Anglia Square
Anglia Square logo
Spiral staircase on Sovereign House in Anglia Square
LocationNorwich, Norfolk, England
Opening dateJuly 1970 (1970-07)
DeveloperAlan Cooke & Partners
OwnerColumbia Threadneedle Investments
No. of floors2
Websitewww.angliasq.com

Pedestrian shop-lined walkways lead onto Anglia Square which was originally open to the elements but is now partially covered by a steel and glass structure – added in the late 20th century. The red brick and concrete buildings are finished in the brutalist style. Forming the western boundary of the centre is the former HMSO building, Sovereign House. The building now stands empty and due for demolition.[1][2]

In 2014, the centre was bought by investment manager Threadneedle Investments for £7.5 million.[3] In early 2018, Weston Homes and landowner Columbia Threadneedle submitted regeneration plans for the site, which included a controversial 25-storey tower block, but due to intervention, subsequent plans reduced the height to 20-storey. The updated plans were rejected in 2020 by the secretary of state, Robert Jenrick.[4] Subsequently, in April 2021, the developer announced it would work on new proposals for the site;[5] the revised plans were approved by the city council in April 2023.[6]

History

Stump Cross and Botolph Street

The area where Anglia Square stands today was part of the Saxon settlement of Northwic, which was defended by Anglo-Scandinavian defensive ditches running along what is now Botolph Street and Anglia Square car park. Magdalen Street and St Augustine's, which are two of the oldest streets in Norwich, date back to those times. During the 19th century, a Crape Manufactory – a factory which produced a fabric often worn when mourning, was built where Anglia Square now stands. The area was badly bombed during the Baedeker raids in April 1942, during World War II and the area was deemed suitable for post-war development.

Redevelopment

The 1945 Norwich Plan, prepared for the city council by C.H. James, Rowland Pierce and Norwich City Engineer H.C. Rowlet, envisioned an urban dual carriageway encircling the city centre, creating ambitiously titled “gates” (aka roundabouts) at every major intersection. Although it was unrealised in its entirety, the western and part of the northern sides of this ring road became the Inner Link Road, constructed between 1968 and 1975.

Many historic buildings were cleared in the making of Anglia Square and the subsequent inner-ring road. One of the oldest was the Kings Arms public house on Botolph Street, which on its gable end in large iron characters were the letters "I" and "C" and the date "1646", now preserved in one of the Norwich museums. Also demolished was the Regency bank at the junction of Magdalen Street and Botoph Street. Some other Georgian and Victorian buildings along St George's Street that survived the war bombings as well as gabled and jettied Tudor buildings. The cleared areas near where The Shuttles pub stood, were never built on, and remains an empty wasteland today.

The square

The centre was designed by Alan Cooke & Partners who handled the whole development.[7]

Facilities

Shops

The single storey shops include discount supermarkets and a wide range of privately owned and high street stores. The covered square features a selection of street stalls.

The cinema

Cinema

Built on a concrete raft and rising above the centre is the former Odeon cinema which opened on 8 July 1971, replacing a nearby 2,000 seat pre-war cinema. Later part of the local Hollywood Cinemas chain, in July 2013 the cinema hosted the world premiere of Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa following an "Anglia Square Not Leicester Square" campaign.[8] In 2019, the cinema closed permanently.[9]

Regeneration
Sovereign House. HMSO building

Anglia Square and the surrounding area is to be the centre of a major redevelopment with a suggested name of Calvert Square (Calvert Street is nearby). During 2008 the public were invited to view the proposals.[10] Work was due to start in 2009 but plans were scaled down due to the credit crunch.[11] In January 2011 new plans for the square were lodged and the developers hope to gain approval before the end of April 2011.[12] In November, 2009 the public were asked to have their say on the proposed development. The multimillion-pound plans are to be part of the Northern City Centre Area Action Plan.[13]

In 2014, the centre was bought by investment manager Threadneedle Investments for £7.5 million.[14]

The current owners and their partner Weston Homes announced in November 2016, they have been holding talks with chief officers at Norwich City Hall. Plans submitted include the demolition of Anglia Square, the former stationery office and Gildengate House. More than 1000 homes are planned to be built above shop units and a new public square.[15][16]

In early 2018, Weston Homes and landowner Columbia Threadneedle submitted regeneration plans for the site. These include 1200 homes, of which 120 will be affordable, a major supermarket, hotel, green squares and central courtyards, along with a 20-storey tower.[17] The project is opposed by Historic England, civic watchdog the Norwich Society and the Dean and Chapter of Norwich Cathedral.[18]

52.6363°N 1.2952°E / 52.6363; 1.2952

References
  1. Anglia Square Archived October 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 5 September 2008
  2. The Norwich Society Archived October 31, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 5 September 2008
  3. Evening News report Archived 28 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 9 June 2014
  4. BBC News Retrieved 11 June 2021
  5. BBC News Retrieved 11 June 2021
  6. "Norwich Anglia Square plan approved by city council". BBC News. 28 April 2023. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  7. Pevsner. N. & Watson. B .The Buildings of England Norfolk2:North-West and South (1993) ISBN 0140710604 Retrieved 28 November 2008
  8. "Alan Partridge Alpha Papa: Norwich hosts world premiere". BBC News. 24 July 2013. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  9. "Hollywood Cinemas close after 30 years". ITV News. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 29 April 2023.
  10. Calvert Square Archived October 16, 2008, at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 5 September 2008
  11. Anglia Square plans formally submitted Retrieved October 2, 2008
  12. Norwich Evening News item Retrieved January 26, 2011
  13. Norwich Evening News report Retrieved 11 November 2009
  14. Evening News report Archived 28 May 2021 at the Wayback Machine Retrieved 9 June 2014
  15. Dan Grimmer (2 November 2016). "Norwich's Anglia Square could be demolished as revamp plans, including 1000 homes, are revealed". Eastern Daily Press. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  16. "Anglia Square and the surrounding area". Norwich City Council. Archived from the original on 11 January 2017. Retrieved 10 January 2017.
  17. David Hannant (15 March 2018). "'My hope is for a common sense approach'- Reaction to plans for Anglia Square". Eastern Daily Press. Retrieved 24 April 2018.
  18. "It's a yes! Anglia Square £271m revamp agreed after fierce six-hour debate". 6 December 2018.
  • Sovereign House
    Sovereign House
  • Sovereign House
    Sovereign House
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