NHER 45467 (Building record) - Anglia Square and cinema

Anglia Square is a central square of shops approached from the surrounding streets by a series of tunnel-like passages. The main part of this complex was built in 1971 by Alan Cooke Associates, and may represent Britain's first mega-structure. The Square itself was intially designed with a canopy over the central courtyard, which originally had red tiles over the white concrete structure. Both the canopy and most of the tiling have been removed. Towering above the square are a multi-storey car-park and a cinema, reached by a curving service road and all in grey concrete. The vast area of the main auditorium of the cinema seats over a thousand people on a steeper slope than normal, and opened in 1971. The square itself was designed as part of the regeneration of this part of Norwich, though like many similar projects across the country has not been completely successful. The future of Anglia Square may be in doubt as further regeneration work is proposed.