Former toy shop to be transformed in Royal Arcade in Norwich

Numbers 12 to 14 of the historic Royal Arcade in the heart of the city used to be home to Langleys Toys before it moved to the ground floor of Chantry Place in June 2021 and has remained empty ever since.

Plans approved by the city council last week could see the grade II* listed shop turned into two smaller stores soon though. 

Langleys Toy Shop closed in 2021 and moved into Chantry Place (Image: Denise Bradley)

According to a heritage statement submitted by architects Cannon Clarke, the division of the shop would see the building return to a previous layout.

The plans show the large space divided in two by a wall, and both kitted out towards the back of the shop with a toilet and a kitchenette area.

The smaller of the two units would have a lobby entryway with access to both the ground floor and first floor units and stud walls will hide the existing staircase to the first floor and create more storage at the site.

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As the shop already has two doors, no changes need to be made to the exterior of the building to allow for two businesses to move into the premises.

The building also sits within the Norwich City Council designated Civic Character Area of the City Centre Conservation Area (Image: Denise Bradley)

The shop fronts are decorated with ceramic tiles, with the heritage statement from the architects promising no damage to these historic elements.

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The art nouveau-style shopping arcade was built in 1899 and designed by George Skipper. 

The Royal Arcade has a domed ceiling covered in glass and stained glass in a traditional Victorian design.

The building sits within the city council's designated Civic Character Area of the City Centre Conservation Area, which covers 230 hectares of special architectural and historic interest.