In its long history, it has been a library and a restaurant.

Now, a new chapter lies ahead for the Grade II listed building on Norwich's Guildhall Hill.

The site - which most recently housed a restaurant called 'The Library' - is owned by Norwich City Council, which wants to sell or lease it, along with neighbouring offices.

Jane Austen College, part of the Inspiration Trust, had initially expressed an interest in taking over both buildings. 

But due to the poor state of the old library building, the trust has said it only wants the old office site, which housed the Norfolk and Waveney Enterprise Services (NWES) until 2018.

A report to the city council cabinet said: “The Inspiration Trust have shown interest in both buildings on a long-term full repairing and insuring basis.  

“They are seeking to add to their city centre presence with a new sixth form.  

“Having agreed terms in late 2021, they have since withdrawn their interest in [the library] due to rising building costs causing their fit-out to be unviable. 

“However, they are continuing with their interest in [the NWES office] and we are close to finalising agreed terms on this building.” 

The secondary school, which is based in Colegate, currently has 1,100 pupils and is fully subscribed. 

Its previous plans would have seen the two buildings turned into nine new classrooms, a study area and additional learning spaces. 

A survey carried out on behalf of the council shows the library needs more than £600,000 of repairs, including £289,000 of "immediate high priority and urgent work” before a new tenant could occupy it. 

In their report, officers said the building has failed to make the return expect of a city centre location. 

They recommended selling both together if the deal to let the NWES building to the Inspiration Trust falls through.  

Norwich City Council is due to discuss selling off the building at a meeting next Wednesday. 

It would not be the first time that the school has taken an existing city building and repurposed it for educational use.

The school's main site is located in a converted factory in Colegate and has provided its main base since it opened in 2014. 

 

History of the library

The Grade II listed building in Guildhall Hill first opened as a restaurant in 2006 and was run under the name of the Library by city restaurateurs Jayne and Nigel Raffles.

The couple spent more than two years attempting to sell the business, but after they were unable to attract a suitable buyer, took the difficult decision to close it in July 2019.

The restaurant served its final customers on Saturday, July 30, 2019.

Before its life as a restaurant, the building housed a subscription library - believed to be one of the oldest in the country.

It was built in the 18th century and first housed a library in 1784 - a function it held for almost two centuries - closing in 1976.

The property was also home to an advice service, before being converted into a restaurant in 2006.