Norwich: When will Mercy nightclub be converted into flats?

Plans were approved in 2020 for the prominent Mercy nightclub to be converted into 49 flats with penthouse apartments.

Construction began in 2022, with scaffolding still around the building and workmen seen from street level working inside.

The building once home to Mercy nightclub in Prince of Wales Road, Norwich (Image: Maya Derrick)

Estateducation, which is behind the overhaul, did not confirm the current status of the remodel or a timescale they are working towards.

And although businesses already operating in the area welcome the prospect of tenants moving in soon, they are weary of the rate of progress.

Nilanie Tennakoon owns Mallie News opposite and has been at the site for 20 years.

Nilanie Tennakoon, owner of Mallie News in Prince of Wales Road (Image: Maya Derrick)

"Work started here around six months ago, but nothing else has happened apart from that," she said.

"I am looking forward to people living opposite my shop. It will be good for my business.

"We get a lot of evening trade, so people living opposite will keep us busy during the day, too."

82-88 Prince of Wales Road, the former Mercy nightclub (Image: Maya Derrick)

Terry Warman of neighbouring T&G Barbers added: "This should tidy the street up, but things are happening very slowly it seems.

"A lot of Prince of Wales Road is focused on the nighttime industry so this should bring a bit of balance.

"The building seemed to be gutted quite quickly.

Terry Warman of T&G Barbers in Prince of Wales Road, with the former Mercy nightclub building behind him (Image: Maya Derrick)

"I hope it makes it a nicer place as people move away from clubbing more."

The Feed Cafe social enterprise is located next door.

Marketing manager Chris Elliott said the development should attract more punters.

Chris Elliott, marketing manager at The Feed (Image: The Feed)

"We're gradually seeing more residential space in the city," he explained.

"This has been ticking away for a long time.

"We hope people moving in will find our cafe and help us make a difference."

The building's history

Before it was a nightclub, 82-24 Prince of Wales Road was home to Howes & Son coach & car travel and then the Regent cinema, which first opened in 1923.

It was renamed ABC Norwich in 1961 before becoming a Cannon cinema in 1986, which closed completely at the end of the 1990s.

Mercy opened in 2003 and was Norwich's first 'super club', considered to be the hub of the city's nightlife in Prince of Wales Road - competing with nearby Time on Riverside.

In 2011, the nightclub announced it was closing down and was being turned into four new venues.

Ben James Smith inside Mercy before work started to redevelop the venue (Image: Archant 2021)

Liquidators were then called in February 2018 after Code Red Promotions, which ran the bars Mercy, Flaunt, Lace and Rocco's restaurant owed the city council £220,000.

Code Red Promotions had bought Project Zeus' assets from auctioneers C&K Recoveries the year before.

The old cinema and dance floor in the Mercy nightclub, March 2021 (Image: Archant 2021)

Cinema seats dating back to the 1920s were left inside the nightclub and could still be seen stored in the venue when we took a look inside the building in March 2021.