Demolition work at Norwich's Anglia Square is to begin early next year but shops in the precinct have been told to expect "business as usual".

The shopping area's disused multi-storey car park, which has been empty since 2012, has been earmarked as the first building to fall after developers Weston Homes confirmed their plans.

Next up to fall by the end of 2024 will be the former Hollywood Cinema, which once hosted the premiere of Alan Partridge: Alpha Papa, before derelict eyesore Sovereign House tumbles in 2026.

Norwich Evening News: Demolition work will begin in Anglia Square next yearDemolition work will begin in Anglia Square next year (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Weston Homes is yet to provide information on when work will begin on the shopping area itself but tenants have been told to expect "business as usual" well into next year.

When plans were finally confirmed by Norwich City Council in April, the developer had said the work will be staged over eight years - with the hope of starting before the end of 2023.

Norwich Evening News: An artist's impression of how Anglia Square will look from Magdalen StreetAn artist's impression of how Anglia Square will look from Magdalen Street (Image: Weston Homes)

Once work is complete the site will see 1,100 homes and up to 86,111sqft of business space including a community hub, community hall, public toilets and an accessible changing place facility.

There will also be up to 450 car parking spaces, 1,888 new cycle bays, a cycle path through the site along with around 200 new trees.

Norwich Evening News: The disused multi-storey car park in Anglia Square will be the first to fallThe disused multi-storey car park in Anglia Square will be the first to fall (Image: Newsquest)

Weston Homes says the work is expected to create 2,211 direct construction jobs with the completed project providing around 288 retail jobs.

It comes after business bosses in the 1970s-built shopping precinct said recently that they were still "in the dark" over what the future holds.

Norwich Evening News: An artist's impression of how the public area at Anglia Square will lookAn artist's impression of how the public area at Anglia Square will look (Image: Weston Homes)

Weston Homes confirmed it had agreed on the final form of the Section 106 agreement to gain formal planning consent from the city council for the project, cash that will be used for community infrastructure.

A spokesman said: "The forthcoming regeneration of Anglia Square in Norwich is on track to start in 2024, with liaison with key stakeholders and political bodies required during the second half of 2023, before construction can commence."