Latest plans for new-look market revealed

4 December 2025

Paul Moseley,Norfolk political reporterand

Owen Sennitt,Local Democracy reporter

News image — This is how a new covered seating area could look inside Norwich Market

Norwich City Council A computer-generated image featuring people sitting at a number of tables. Market stalls are on both sides. — This is how a new covered seating area could look inside Norwich Market

Plans to revamp the historical Norwich Market, including a sheltered central seating area, have been unveiled.

Norwich City Council's proposals also include more stalls and refurbished toilets.

According to the Labour-run authority, feedback from traders and visitors said the current market suffered from a disorientating layout, poor access, uncovered seating and leaking gutters.

Council cabinet member Carli Harper said she hoped the market would be "the best of its kind in Europe". A consultation on the proposals will run until next month.

Norwich Market was last redeveloped in 2006, when its wooden stalls were replaced with covered metal units.

Norwich City Council A number of people are sitting on benches looking at the back of the redesigned market. A new "Norwich Market" sign highlights where the central seating area runs through. — How the market would look when viewed from the Memorial Gardens

Earlier this year, the local authority said it was spending £740,000 on drawing up plans for the site because "ageing infrastructure" was limiting the market's potential.

It initially suggested three designs as options, including a central court seating area for food and a covered arcade.

The latest proposal appears to be a mixture of those two ideas, with a wide aisle of seating running through the middle of the site which the council said could also be used for events.

The revamp also includes a large sign on Gentleman's Walk as part of a new gateway entrance, according to the Local Democracy Reporting Service.

Meanwhile, the Undercroft – at the rear of the market – which has been used as a gallery space for several years, will be turned into a storage area for traders.

Some stalls in the market are currently used for this purpose.

Colourful market stall rooftops, with City Hall and the Guildhall in the background. — Norwich Market is one of the oldest open-air markets in Britain

A month-long consultation is being held and people can share their views on the council's website.

After the consultation closes, the council will refine the designs before making a final decision.

Officials will then seek planning permission for the changes, likely by next autumn.

"These proposals balance views from the previous consultation," said Harper, the cabinet member for major projects.

She said the plans would ensure "the market has a viable future for the rest of the century" and added: "Our ultimate aim is to make sure our medieval market remains the beating heart of Norwich city centre and making it the best of its kind in England and Europe."

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