The Forum Trust has appointed Mansell Construction Services Limited from Swaffham to deliver the planned improvements to the south wing of The Forum, on the Theatre Street side of the landmark building. Work has started on site and there is now a temporary equipment compound and store on Theatre Plain.  The project is expected to take six months to complete.

 

Externally, the developments involve glazing in the triangular end of the south wing below the BBC offices, new glass doors on to the external paved area known as Millennium Plain and an additional door facing Theatre Street to retain an access route to the car park from outside.

 

Internally, an ambitious plan is proposed, with the Forum Trust working in partnership with City College Norwich and the BBC to provide new services, including a digital media gallery and learning space, a free educational facility and resource for filming and editing under the expert supervision of the BBC and an auditorium for business, performance, educational and community use. A new Reception point will serve the BBC and act as a gateway to the new facilities.

 

The plans also provide for the creation of a new shop, as well as a remodelled Tourist Information Centre that will be much more visible and accessible to its many visitors.

 

The Origins Attraction and the Forum’s existing shop have now closed. While work is in progress, it is very much ‘business as usual’ for the Tourist Information Centre which has been relocated to the Assembly House for the next few months.