City Hall conversion could cost £750k before work

Norwich City Council hopes to redevelop parts of City Hall to raise funds

Plans to convert part of a prominent civic building into a hotel could cost £750,000 before construction even begins, a council has warned.

Norwich City Council hopes to spend the money on designs to convert part of its City Hall headquarters into a hotel, conference space, offices or flats.

But some councillors have raised concerns about the large sum and questioned how it will be spent.

The council says the layout of the building is "outdated and inefficient" and its development would help raise vital funds.

The authority announced the proposals for the Grade II* listed building earlier this month.

It is facing significant financial pressures and previously warned that it needed to make more than £9.5m in savings over the next five years.

City Hall in Norwich is the council headquarters but part of it could be converted into a hotel to raise money

Labour council leader Mike Stonard said the redevelopment could raise up to £102m in economic benefits.

He added: "Our stunning building has so much to love, and we need to not only make sure it’s fit for the future but make the most of our cherished asset for the city.

"We are in the early stages of that journey and now have some viable options we can consider taking to the next stage of exploration and design."

'Iconic building'

Officials say the £750,000 would be used to cover professional fees related to the scheme and to help outline the case for the redevelopment.

Lucy Galvin, leader of the Green group at the council, said: "City Hall is an iconic building which belongs to the people.

"The plans and costs for it need to be carefully looked at, the citizens of Norwich to be fully involved, and the building to be made properly accessible.

"Paying external consultants vast sums may not really be the answer especially if it remains unclear to the public how and when they can have input."

City Hall has been considered for development a number of times without coming to fruition.

Councillors will meet on 10 October to discuss whether to proceed with the use of funds.