Aviva's Marble Hall stained glass windows to get protection

The windows in Marble Hall, part of Aviva’s Surrey House, will have a "tried and tested" refurb after one of the panes was damaged at the end of last year.

The fresco above the staircase in the Marble Hall (Image: Newsquest)

Aviva now wants to use ‘environmental protective glazing’ (EPG), which essentially places a second window in front of the existing glass to help stop future damage.

A planning application for the work was submitted to Norwich City Council in July and was approved on Monday.

The staircase in the Marble Hall (Image: Newsquest)

The council stated: "The development hereby permitted shall begin before the expiration of three years, from the date of this permission."

EPG is used for protection and has been used in churches and cathedrals around the UK, such as Canterbury and Ely.

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Eight of the panels were originally part of the old Surrey House, the home of the Earl of Surrey, which previously stood on the site. 

Surrey House in Surrey Street, home of Marble Hall and Aviva (Image: Newsquest)

The panels, which are now part of a bay window on the site, were recovered in the late 1950s, after being found stored in the summerhouse of a home in Bracondale, before being moved to an outhouse in Wroxham.

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Dating back to the 17th century the windows were installed in the 60s. 

Two extra panels were added to the left of the bay window - one of which was damaged - will be fully restored.

Ten 300-year stained glass windows will be safeguarded after one of the panes was damaged at the end of 2022 (Image: Bill Smith)

History of Marble Hall

Marble Hall was erected on the site of the house of Henry Howard, the Earl of Surrey - now known as Surrey House.

Work on the building started in 1900 and opened for business in 1904, while work continued through to 1912.

Surrey House is a grade I listed building and is made up of 15 different types of Italian and Greek marble, used to make 40 columns.

The marble hall at the headquarters of Norwich Union in Surrey Street (Image: Archant Library)

The inspiration behind the house's design was local architect George Skipper, who was commissioned by Norwich Union's directors to produce a unique, but functional, office space.

The design incorporated various Greek and masonic symbols, influenced by Charles Arthur Bathurst Bignold, who was a descendant of the original founder of the hall's inhabitants.

Painters Mark Ames (left) and Michael Sexton working on the dome roof of the Aviva (Norwich Union) marble hall in Surrey Street (Image: Archant Library)