Norwich Beer Festival needs 2024 venue amid Halls closure

The venue, which has hosted the festival since the 1970s, announced it was closing for a £3.6m revamp earlier this week, with work set to last the entirety of 2024.

The Campaign for Real Ale (Camra), which runs the city's beer festival, had been eyeing potential alternative venues for this year's event due to worries work would begin sooner, but organisers are confident the 2023 event will go ahead as planned.

However, a venue for next year's event is still being sought after an approach to Norwich Cathedral was rejected and the Norfolk Showground was ruled out due to its location.

The Halls in Norwich which is due to close next year (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: St Andrew's Hall to close for £3.6m revamp in 2024

Camra bosses had looked into Epic Studios in Magdalen Street and the former Open building in Bank Plain, which has remained closed since April 2020, but both were deemed too small.

Beer festival organiser, Craig Harmer, said: "In theory, we're pretty sure we're going ahead as usual next year.

"We're reluctant to say we're 100pc sure in case they need to do something in there to prepare.

"But we know we need to find somewhere for 2024.

"We went to Norwich Cathedral first but we didn't even get to talk to them before they turned it down.

The festival has been held at The Halls since the 1970s (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: The Halls in need of urgent repairs

"It's becoming a tricky one but I'm sure we'll sort it out, we've got plenty of time."

It comes after a Norwich City Council report found that the 700-year-old venue which once hosted ACDC would collapse without urgent repairs.

Anyone who has a venue they think would be suitable for the beer festival is urged to contact Mr Harmer on 07733 335078.

The 45th Norwich Beer Festival is planned for between Monday, October 23 and Saturday, October 28 at The Halls.