The Anglia Square shopping centre is located to the north of Norwich

Norwich

Norwich is a city in England. It is the regional administrative centre and county town of Norfolk. During the 11th century, Norwich was the largest city in England after London, and one of the most important places in the kingdom...

 city centre. It is bounded by historic Magdalen and St Augustine's streets.

History

Built in the 1960s and 70s in an area that had been heavily bombed in the Baedeker raids during World War II

World War II

World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...

, the centre was designed by Allan Cooke & Partners who handled the whole development.

Description of centre

Pedestrian shop-lined walkways lead onto the main square which was originally open to the elements but now covered by a steel and glass structure - added in the late 20th century. The red brick and concrete buildings are finished in the brutalist style. Forming the western boundary of the centre is the former HMSO building Sovereign House the building, now empty and due for demolition. Built on a concrete raft and rising above the centre is the c.1971 former Odeon

Odeon Cinemas

Odeon Cinemas is a British chain of cinemas, one of the largest in Europe. It is owned by Odeon & UCI Cinemas Group whose ultimate parent is Terra Firma Capital Partners.-History:Odeon Cinemas was created in 1928 by Oscar Deutsch...

 cinema, now part of the Hollywood chain.

Shops

The single storey shops include discount supermarkets and a wide range of privately owned and high street stores. The covered square features a selection of street stalls.

Regeneration

Anglia Square and the surrounding area is to be the centre of a major redevelopment with a suggested name of Calvert Square (Calvert Street is nearby). During 2008 the public were invited to view the proposals.. Work was due to start in 2009 but plans were scaled down due to the credit crunch

Credit crunch

A credit crunch is a reduction in the general availability of loans or a sudden tightening of the conditions required to obtain a loan from the banks. A credit crunch generally involves a reduction in the availability of credit independent of a rise in official interest rates...

.. In January 2011 new plans for the square were lodged and the developers hope to gain approval before the end of April 2011.. In November, 2009 the public were asked to have their say on the proposed development. The multi-million pound plans are to be part of the Northern City Centre Area Action Plan.