Norwich's Crystal House given green light to become offices

Crystal House in Cattle Market Street has been home to Bullards, Kellers Model Marque and Warings Furniture in recent years, but now it will become office space for mortgage brokers Haysto.

The company was allowed to begin work before permission was granted in July, with the building currently clad in scaffolding.

A decision on the plans was initially delayed over concerns about a lack of detail regarding the building's fire exits.

Crystal House is currently clad in scaffolding (Image: Newsquest)

Haysto will now add the new fire escape and a cycle rack to the rear of the property and revamp its interior with an orange colour scheme.

The mortgage brokers said the Grade II-listed building had fallen into "a state of disrepair" and said they would be carrying out work to restore it and ensure its future.

A planning statement by the applicant read: "The significance of Crystal House is fully acknowledged and works have been carefully considered, resulting in a sensitive proposal that does not result in harm to the asset.

"Occupation of Crystal House will bring much-needed life and interest to an area of Norwich where various neighbouring buildings currently lie dormant."

It is thought that about 60 members of staff will work at the building.

Haysto's plans for Crystal House (Image: Norwich City Council)

Previously, the building has seen plans to turn it and the former Owl Sanctuary pub opposite into housing but an application submitted in 2016 was rejected amid claims it would "result in the loss of historic fabric".

Crystal House has remained empty since Bullards' gin distillery left in May 2022 and had previously been home to Warings Furniture after spending 20 years as Kellers Model Marque.

The gin distillery closed last year after Bullards bosses decided it was "not practical".

Haysto now has three years to carry out the proposed works.