Norwich City Council this week has completed its purchase of the Carrow House complex – a key component in unlocking the potential for thousands of new homes and jobs in east Norwich.
The city council has bought the historic site, a former home of the Colman family, from the county council for £2.25 million as part of Town Deal proposals.
The complex will be used to provide much-needed office space for smaller and start-up businesses, a move which will accelerate the regeneration of east Norwich to create an urban quarter with up to 4,000 new homes and 6,000 new jobs.
Cllr Mike Stonard, portfolio holder for inclusive and sustainable growth, said: “The city council’s purchase of Carrow House marks the start of our ambitious plan to create more homes and more jobs for Norwich.
“Refurbishing and repurposing this important Grade II listed building will provide 50,000 square feet of floorspace for a range of start-ups and small businesses.
“There is currently a real shortage of space for these companies in Norwich and the city council sees Carrow House as a venue to drive exciting growth for smaller businesses, kick-starting the regeneration of east Norwich.”
Cllr Greg Peck, cabinet member for commercial services and asset management at Norfolk County Council said: “The sale of Carrow House has secured a multi-million pound return to the county council and will see the building become a centre for economic growth. As the former home of the Colman Family, Carrow House was at the heart Norfolk’s history, so it is only fitting that it plays a pivotal role in the start of a new chapter.”
Town Deal funding will also be used to carry out the necessary refurbishment work in the region of £1.4 million.
Carrow House sits just east of the city centre, near the railway station and is made up of the Grade II listed former home of the Colman family and a large post-war building. It sits in attractive ground overlooking Carrow Abbey.
The plans for east Norwich supports two of the key themes of the city council’s Covid-19 recovery plan: business and the local economy; housing, regeneration and development.
A masterplan is currently being developed which will provide a flexible long-term regeneration and development strategy for the area.
About the Norwich Town Deal
Norwich City Council was awarded £25m at the end of 2020 from the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to deliver eight key projects.
Find out more about the eight Norwich Town Deal projects and the work of the Town Deal board
Developed in partnership with the Norwich Vision Group, local communities, partners and public/private investors; these projects will provide a highly significant boost to deliver major regeneration alongside much needed skills infrastructure and jobs at a time when we are facing an unprecedented challenge to the future prosperity of the city, its residents and business community.
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