Shops to become homes as city continues to change
Owen Sennitt/BBCA former city store will be turned into 70 flats, with experts predicting further similar transformations to vacant shops, due to changing shopping habits.
Norwich City Council officers have approved an application to change the use of the former Wilko and Poundland stores on the corner of St Stephens Street.
Developer, ALB Group, said it would turn an "underutilised space that reflects badly" on the city into an "urban living experience."
Stefan Gurney, of Norwich Business Improvement District (BID), said the changes reflected a national trend.
Owen Sennitt/BBCALB Group will develop the site into one-bed apartments, with two shops on the ground floor.
Managing director, Arran Bailey, said the building was a "landmark" and "part of Norwich's history".
He added: "Its redevelopment will have a hugely positive impact, bringing usable commercial and residential space into the heart of the city."
The company also plans to redevelop the former Tesco store on Guildhall Hill.
Paul Moseley/BBCSeveral applications have been made in recent years to turn empty shops and office blocks into housing or hybrid spaces with retail units on the ground floor, including the former Marsh offices in Queens Road.
However, some developments have faced barriers. Plans to turn the former Debenhams store into student flats were scrapped, partly due to increased costs making the project unviable.
It will now be a play centre.
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Gurney, chief executive of Norwich BID said there is a national change in "how city centres are being considered".
He said: "I think the days of big footprints in large retail units are realistically going from the high street."
He added that more people living in the city centre would help make it "more vibrant".
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