Phil Darke of Phil Darke Audio met with us today, to talk about the design and equipment installation for our brand new professional recording studio
We’re so excited to be able to bring such a fantastic resource and opportunity to our local area… and yes we are keeping as much of the original bank vault as we can!
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Very sad news
Our Queen, our constant.
Her presence will be greatly missed.
Building Improvement Grant approved
Congratulations to the North Walsham Phoenix Group who this week have had their Building Improvement Grant approved.
The Phoenix Group is a North Norfolk charity who provide services and support for young people and the wider community. Primarily the space will be used to bring much needed services to the area. There are plans for a sensory room, café with an outdoor serving hatch and an accessible public toilet. In the basement, there will be a rehearsal and recording space available to hire and use. The services that will occupy the upper two floors of the building will be announced soon.
The Building Improvement Grant is one of the phases of the North Walsham High Street Heritage Action Zone project funded by North Norfolk District Council, New Anglia LEP and Historic England. This grant is designed to support the repair and restoration of heritage buildings and help bring unused floor space back into use.
Cllr Richard Kershaw, NNDC, portfolio holder for Sustainable Growth, said:
“This is fabulous news for the town and in particular for our young people. They are a key part of the town’s future and having somewhere specific and central for them to call their own allows them space to hang out and also get support and advice from key agencies located alongside them. It’s brilliant news!’
Tony Calladine, East of England Regional Director, Historic England, said:
“We’re pleased to be supporting the restoration and refurbishment of the former Barclay’s Bank. Bringing new life to historic buildings is a key part of our High Street Heritage Action Zones programme and I’m delighted that this building will become a welcoming, safe and creative space for the community and for the young people of North Walsham.’
Mal Gray, Chair of the Phoenix Group commented:
“We are delighted to receive this grant from the North Walsham High Street Heritage Action Zone and even more delighted to announce work has also started this week.
“Our space is an iconic building in the centre of the marketplace and it is with thanks to this grant that we can begin the building refurbishment and look forward to opening. It will be a crucial addition to our town and will provide these essential facilities in the centre of what will be a new improved marketplace.’
Renovation Work Begins!
We are delighted to announce that the renovation work for our fantastic building will begin on Monday
You will see the Malcolm Abbs Building Contractor team on site, they are very excited to be supporting North Walsham with this project
Even more exciting news coming soon but we have to keep it a secret for a little while longer… watch this space
Have a wonderful weekend
PRESS RELEASE
Building work starts on town centre youth and community space
The work has begun on a much needed youth and community space in North Walsham, after securing significant funding needed to complete the renovation, with building contractors starting on Monday the 5th of September.
Mal Gray, the Chairman of North Walsham Phoenix Group, said “Our community are facing uncertain and worrying times as the cost of living crisis is beginning to hit, we are now in a stronger position to support everyone from the heart of our town. We are delighted that the work has begun on this much needed project and we would like to thank everyone who has supported us.”
The new space will be hosted in the former Barclays Bank building in the Market Place, bringing vital services and facilities across the four floors. This includes an accessible toilet that will be open to the public, a cafe area and a recording studio in the old bank vault.
Malcolm Abbs, from Malcolm Abbs Building Contractors, said “We are proud to be supporting this project as something we know North Norfolk needs and we are delighted to be the chosen contractor. I would like to appeal to any suppliers who are willing to work with us charitably, supporting this great cause”
The plans for the upper floors have yet to be disclosed as Mr Gray said “We have been working hard to listen to what our community needs and one of the recurring themes is the current lack of mental health support available in North Norfolk. Whilst we are not yet able to announce who will be taking space in the upper floors of our building, we are extremely excited and will make the announcement as soon as we are able.”
Lucy Shires, Mental Health Champion for North Norfolk District Council and County Councillor for North Walsham East, said “I am incredibly proud of what the Phoenix Group have achieved, this is a massive leap forward in improving the mental health of not only North Walsham but North Norfolk as a district. The support from our community has been overwhelming and I look forward to more big news in the coming weeks.”
Amazing opportunity
We are currently looking for expressions of interest for the refreshment area of the Phoenix building
This is your chance to get involved in this great communtiy project for North Walsham!
More details can also be found in the windows of the Phoenix building.