Chapelfield
Encyclopedia
Chapelfield is a large indoor shopping mall
located on the edge of Norwich
city centre, on the site previously occupied by the Caleys (later Rowntree Mackintosh and Nestlé
) chocolate factory.
The centre opened on Wednesday 21 September 2005, and was described as 'a major new shopping experience' by A. Man, featuring a new three-floor flagship House of Fraser
department store. It was claimed to be the largest shopping centre to open in Britain in 2005, with 80 shops and 17 cafés and restaurants.
Like many new retail developments, Chapelfield opened amidst much fanfare and local controversy, with feeling in some quarters that the development brought little of real value to the city centre, instead turning Norwich into yet another clone city
, and because there is another shopping centre, the Castle Mall, near the market square.
Criticism has been levelled at the new development, suggesting that the 'new' shops are mostly stores that have relocated from elsewhere in the town centre. The developers respond, however, that 50% of the stores are 'completely new to Norwich' with the only House of Fraser
in the region.
In May 2006 it was announced that some businesses in the mall were under performing due to a lack of trade .
In 2006, the mall won the BCSC Gold Award for Best In-Town Retail Scheme
Shopping mall
A shopping mall, shopping centre, shopping arcade, shopping precinct or simply mall is one or more buildings forming a complex of shops representing merchandisers, with interconnecting walkways enabling visitors to easily walk from unit to unit, along with a parking area — a modern, indoor version...
located on the edge 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, on the site previously occupied by the Caleys (later Rowntree Mackintosh and Nestlé
Nestlé
Nestlé S.A. is the world's largest food and nutrition company. Founded and headquartered in Vevey, Switzerland, Nestlé originated in a 1905 merger of the Anglo-Swiss Milk Company, established in 1867 by brothers George Page and Charles Page, and Farine Lactée Henri Nestlé, founded in 1866 by Henri...
) chocolate factory.
The centre opened on Wednesday 21 September 2005, and was described as 'a major new shopping experience' by A. Man, featuring a new three-floor flagship House of Fraser
House of Fraser
House of Fraser is a British department store group with over 60 stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1849 as Arthur and Fraser. By 1891 it was known as Fraser & Sons. The company grew steadily during the early 20th century, but after the Second...
department store. It was claimed to be the largest shopping centre to open in Britain in 2005, with 80 shops and 17 cafés and restaurants.
Like many new retail developments, Chapelfield opened amidst much fanfare and local controversy, with feeling in some quarters that the development brought little of real value to the city centre, instead turning Norwich into yet another clone city
Clone town
Clone town is a global term for a town where the High Street or other major shopping areas are significantly dominated by Chain stores. The term was coined by the New Economics Foundation , a British think tank, in their 2004 report on "Clone Town Britain".A survey conducted by NEF in 2005...
, and because there is another shopping centre, the Castle Mall, near the market square.
Criticism has been levelled at the new development, suggesting that the 'new' shops are mostly stores that have relocated from elsewhere in the town centre. The developers respond, however, that 50% of the stores are 'completely new to Norwich' with the only House of Fraser
House of Fraser
House of Fraser is a British department store group with over 60 stores across the United Kingdom and Ireland. It was established in Glasgow, Scotland in 1849 as Arthur and Fraser. By 1891 it was known as Fraser & Sons. The company grew steadily during the early 20th century, but after the Second...
in the region.
In May 2006 it was announced that some businesses in the mall were under performing due to a lack of trade .
In 2006, the mall won the BCSC Gold Award for Best In-Town Retail Scheme