Norwich's Anglia Square demolition work to start this autumn

Norwich City Council is on the brink of awarding the contract to a company to knock down the shopping centre, ahead of its redevelopment.

Anglia Square (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

The Labour-run council, which paid £5.6m to buy the complex so it can be revamped as part of a major housing scheme, anticipates work to strip out the now empty shops will start soon.

But the main demolition - which will see city landmarks such as Sovereign House, the former home of Her Majesty's Stationery Office, Gildengate House and the former Hollywood Cinema - will begin in the autumn.

Carli Harper (Image: Eleanor Storey)

At a City Hall meeting this week, Carli Harper, the council's cabinet member for finance and major projects, said: "The council has now secured vacant possession of the retail units and is currently out to tender for the selection of a demolition contractor with an award of contract imminent.

"It is anticipated that work will commence during the summer, with works to strip out the interiors of the buildings first and demolition of the main structures to follow in the autumn. Work is due to be completed by the end of March 2026.

Anglia Square (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

"Linked to the demolition, the council is progressing arrangements for the disconnection, and diversion of existing utilities on the site, alongside planning for archaeology to be on site throughout the duration of demolition.

"Work is also progressing for a meanwhile use on the St Saviours car park and a planning application has been submitted which, if approved, will see up to approximately 80 containers offering space for existing and new start-ups for retail, commercial and cultural businesses in the area."

READ MORE: How Anglia Square looked in the 1980s and 1990s

The city council was awarded a total of £34m in government funding to buy the shopping centre, which opened in 1970, as well as the cost of demolishing the existing buildings.

The Hollywood Cinema will be demolished (Image: Peter Walsh, Newsquest)

Plans for up to 1,100 new homes, office, shops and leisure space were approved by the city council in 2023.

But Weston Homes, which would have built the homes, pulled the plug on the scheme last year, saying it was no longer financially viable.

That prompted the city council to buy the site from owners Columbia Threadneedle.

The demolition of Anglia Square is about to begin (Image: David Hannant)