Plans for piano bar in Norwich church fall through

St Margaret's Church in St Benedicts Street looked set to have a new lease of life under the proposals, which were submitted to Norwich City Council in May.

However, due to a series of "unexpected discoveries" stalling the project, applicant John Taylor has pulled the plug.

He explained: "St Margaret’s, although it is a wonderful building, needs a lot of work to turn it into a useable space, particularly a licensed bar.

St Margaret's Church was made redundant in 1975 (Image: Simon Finlay) "There have been several delays in the project, partly down to unexpected discoveries - something that’s not uncommon with Grade I-listed buildings - and these delays have combined to push the project to a point where I don’t think I can get it up and running by Easter 2025."

However, Mr Taylor's dream is not yet dead, with plans to open a bar and gallery in a nearby location in the not-so-distant future.

Plans first emerged for the site back in May (Image: Thomas Ford and Partners via Norwich City Council) He said: "I am now looking into an alternative venue, still with the hope of opening by Easter 2025.

"I would like to emphasise that the key to these wonderful buildings' survival is to get them back into proper, regular use - nothing degrades heritage buildings as much as being left empty.

READ MORE: Thousand-year-old church to become auction house after plans get go-ahead

"I’d also like to thank the planning department at the council, and the Norwich Historic Churches Trust for all of their help and input during the project so far."

The church dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries (Image: Simon Finlay) According to Historic England, the Grade I-listed church dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries.

It recently underwent an £800,000 restoration.

The church has previously been used as a gym, an exhibition space, an antiques centre and a cafe since it became redundant in 1975.