Marble Hall, one of Norwich Union’s oldest and finest buildings, is to be opened up as a public facility so it can be enjoyed by the people of Norwich and visitors to the area.
Marble Hall, one of Norwich Union’s oldest and finest buildings, is to be opened up as a public facility so it can be enjoyed by the people of Norwich and visitors to the area.
Norwich Union will get together next month with a group of people with wide-ranging experience and knowledge of local tourism and commerce to explore possible uses for the future of the Grade I listed Georgian building in Surrey Street, which is currently used as office accommodation.
The company will retain ownership of Marble Hall and will continue to pay basic running costs, including heating, lighting and maintenance.
But the associated costs of any future use are expected to be self-financing and will be independently managed.
Any potential use will have to be sensitive to the fabric of Marble Hall. It may, for example, be converted for use as some form of museum or art gallery – but it will not be turned into a food, drink or retail outlet.
Ian Butterworth, managing director of Norwich Union Central Services, said he was delighted that the building would be opened up for the enjoyment of the wider public.
“Marble Hall is recognised both locally and nationally as a valuable civic asset, and we are hoping to create a new use for it which will protect its future so that the people of Norwich and visitors to the city can enjoy its splendour for years to come,” he said.
“We are working to make sure the use is appropriate, and that it will give us a facility of which the city can be justifiably proud.”
Norwich Union is working on the project with representatives of local groups including Norfolk County Council’s Museums and Archaeology Service, Norwich City Council and Norwich Area Tourism Agency.
They will all get together on March 3 to develop some ideas, after which a shortlist of proposals will be drawn up for further discussion. It is hoped that an outline decision will be reached by the end of the year, with a view to an external body taking over management of the building.
There are approximately 60 Norwich Union staff currently working in Marble Hall, who will all relocate to more appropriate sites at the end of March.
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Media contact:
Louise Zucchi, Norwich Union Press Office - 01603 684506
- Pictures of Marble Hall are available
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