Former Norwich church could become music venue

The Grade II listed former United Reformed Church on Princes Street in Norwich could soon be hosting live music events and a bar and restaurant with a planning application due to be decided soon. Keith Morris reports.

 
After being a prominent URC church for 200 years, its final service was held in October 2020 after a survey in June 2019 revealed that nails holding roof tiles in place were corroding, meaning the entire roof would need replacing. Two months later a church meeting agreed by a clear majority that repair bills for the building were simply too high for the congregation to meet.
 
The building was sold in 2021 to Friars 923 Ltd which is owned by well-known Wymondham-based scrap-metal and property developer Andre Serruys.

The nature of its business is listed with Companies House as: licensed restaurants, licensed clubs, performing arts and other letting.
 
The application, to Norwich City Council, sets out proposals to convert "the existing vacant building from former church/place of worship, to an arts and dance facility, with capacity to host live music events and the option to serve food and drink.
 
A design statement included with the application, by CAM Architects, says: "The new design will retain much of the building fabric to provide the opportunity to re-use the existing building without the need for radical changes.” The consultation finished on September 27, with a target date of September 29.
 
David Coaker, Eastern Synod Clerk, told Network Norfolk: “When the URC Eastern Synod sold the building in 2021, there were no covenants included as to the future use of the building because, on the advice of our solicitors, it is pointless to include these unless one is retaining a neighbouring property or property very close by, as otherwise they are unenforceable.
 
“The property is a Grade II Listed Building and under planning law is designated as a place of worship under Class D1. Any other use of the building will require planning permission and therefore will go before the City Council. As the building is Listed, any alterations would need to be approved by the Council’s Conservation Officer under their usual strict scrutiny.
“The URC has no legal control over use of its buildings once they have been sold.”
 
Read our previous articles on this topic: Influential_Norwich_church_holds_final_service
 
Iconic_Norwich_church_set_to_close
 

Pictured above is the final service at Princes Street and, below, the iconic façade of the church.