Anglia Square. Photo: Angela Sharpe.

Your view on decision to shut Anglia Square car park in Norwich

By DAVID BLACKMORE Friday, December 14, 2012
1:25 PM

Decision to close the multi-storey car park of Norwich’s Anglia Square shopping precinct has received a mixed reaction

Signs were put up at he seven-storey car park in Edward Street, saying the site is “closed with immediate effect” earlier this week.

Following the car park closure, we’ve been inundated with messages on social network website Facebook on what should happen to the area now.

Here’s what some of our readers have said on Facebook when asked what your reaction was to the decision:

Christopher Pegg: “That car park is a mess and hardly ever repair or clean this place” [sic]

Shazza Chettleburgh: “It needs knocking down and starting again. It’s looking very, very dated and not a nice welcome for visitors to the area.”

Teresa Haistead: “I worked in that area from 1988 to 1996 and used the shops there in my lunch break. [It] was decent enough back then. Needs a lot of TLC now though.”

Kate Webster: “What the area needs is continued support from local residents so that any development will be encouraged.

“Sympathetic restoration is what this area deserves - unless you would rather be run in to the overcrowded, corporate orientated shopping areas where you will pay a premium for everything?

“Something as simple as a few bins and some soap on the shop signs would help this area temporarily. Yet to see someone make a stand for making the best of a convenient shopping area that is very useful to some people.”

Jane Modone Gosling: “This could be such a thriving area and street, if only careful thought was given to it.

“I love Magdalen street and Anglia Square and would love to see someone with a little insight develop it to its full potential. I use Anglia square most days and have never felt it was dodgy.”

John Websdale said: “It’s an eye sore, has been for decades, turn it into a park.”

6 comments

People do not have the money to go out shopping at the minute so the retailers are seeing slumps in there sales. However I always enjoy a walk down Magdalen street & Anglia square, it`s a vibrant part of the city but if we can`t park there we will not go there.

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BigSean

Friday, December 14, 2012
Should of had FREE PARKING to encourage people to the place

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billythebookie

Friday, December 14, 2012
I recall when Jason Orange cut the ribbon on the opening of the Pound Stretcher store and the amount of people who turned up to that event. I remember thinking to myself, that maybe Anglia Square would once more be a vibrant shopping centre again. It was for a while, but alas the numbers are slowly dwindling. Regards, Whiley.

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Whiley Boy

Friday, December 14, 2012
I have used Anglia Square car park on a Saturday, for a number of years. Ten minutes walk to the town centre, and cheap. Whilst I accept it is getting a bit tired, closing off the cheapest parking in the city at Christmas is poor timing. As to the 'little used' in the past few weeks the three levels open have had quite a few cars in them when I've visited. All this means now is I'll either park and ride or go straight into the centre, and Anglia Square Magdalen street will no longer get my trade.

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IanDTurner@AOL.com

Friday, December 14, 2012
Having been involved with Anglia Square in the past and having a little knowledge about the structure, I would say it can only go one way and that would be total demolition, simply because it will cost more or as much to try and renovate as it would to re-build it. The place has had it, you don't have to be an expert to realise that.

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Joe Mullets Uncle

Friday, December 14, 2012
With comments like that, I'm really pleased not to be a Facebook user.

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Friday, December 14, 2012