NHER 55405 (Monument record) - Site of Mann Egerton Showroom and Garage

Mann Egerton built their first showroom on this site (Greyfriars House) in 1902, capable of displaying 2 vehicles. They expanded into the adjacent building in 1903, doubling their size. In 1904 the company built a single storey workshop with a steel truss roof behind the showrooms enabling them to construct on site.. In 1912, a 'T' shaped 3 storey building was built from brick, steel and reinforced concrete and used as workshops and storage.
By 1914 Mann Egerton were also prolific electrical specialists and has several navy contracts. They were also approached by the Admiralty to build aircraft for the future Royal Flying Corps. In 1919 they started Norwich's first driving school with dual control Ford Model - T's. The concrete ramps were added in 1940, presumably before this an internal lift was used. During the Second World War the company built ambulances for the army and trained hundreds of personnel to drive them. The business was much expanded by wartime production and put this surplus to use after the war in manufacturing buses. From the end of the war to the late 1980s the company diversified into furniture, electricals and refrigerated HGVs and slowly sold off the lengthening arms of the company to become a purely car sales business once again. Most of the site was demolished in 1993.
See (S1).
W. Arnold (HES), 14 April 2011.