With pandemic restrictions lifted at the start of 2022, there was a sense of optimism that things may start to return to some kind of normality.
But things didn't turn out that way amid a cost of living crisis that has put a strain upon households and businesses alike.
With the way we shop constantly evolving - here are five shops in Norwich that announced they would close for good in 2022.
Build-A-Bear Workshop, where customers can choose and stuff a furry friend, closed in Chantry Place in September to make way for a new retailer.
During promotional events, such as Pay Your Age days, and during the festive period, the shop saw enormous snaking queues and waits of up to five hours.
Luxury watchmaker Breitling, which was founded in Switzerland in 1884, is set to open its new store in the former home of Build-A-Bear.
Ancestors in Magdalen Street announced that it was closing for the final time in October after the owners moved to Scotland earlier this year.
The independent and family-run vegan coffee shop was opened in 2017 by Ceiran and Deanna who had been working with speciality coffee for years.
The day-to-day running of the shop was handed over to couple Benji and Delilah in April but it closed for good eight months later.
Pure Electric, located in Castle Quarter, offered a range of e-scooters and e-bikes.
However, it decided to close in September to focus on its own brand of e-scooters.
The Bristol-based company, founded by entrepreneur Adam Norris in 2018, had 17 stores across the UK and eight outlets in France and Spain.
A number of stores already closed earlier in July and more shut in September.
The sandwich and coffee chain closed up its Chantry Place site in October this year.
A Pret spokesperson said: “It has been a pleasure to serve customers our freshly-made food and organic coffees at Chantry Place however the shop has now closed."
While the Chantry Place store may have closed, its venue in Haymarket remains open.
Pedal Addiction, in Bowthorpe Road, closed its doors during the Covid pandemic but decided to make the move permanent in June.
Owner Scott Cordy decided to raffle off £22k worth of stock, donating a portion of the proceeds to a cancer charity.
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