The new accommodation and visitor guide is proudly launched today at the recently reopened Norwich Theatre Royal, which, following a £10 million refurbishment, now boasts greater access and comfort, more leg room, improved sound and ventilation, a new restaurant and refreshment areas, and, as ever, an exciting year round programme.
One of the most successful No.1 touring theatres in the country, the Theatre Royal is part of a vibrant cultural scene which contributes greatly to the appeal of Norwich as a city break destination. Late last year Norwich also saw the re-opening, after 3 years and a £4.5 million re-development, of Cinema City, one of the country’s first art-house cinemas and now a luxurious 3-screen complex with state-of-the-art digital technology showing a range of art-house and box-office films.
And according to new research by local information website locallife.co.uk, Norwich has more cultural activity than anywhere else in the UK relative to population size. The city has 10.96 cultural facilities for every 10,000 residents, well ahead of second placed Cambridge with 7.38 and Liverpool – the 2008 European Capital of Culture is ranked 124th in the UK, with just 2.97.
Norwich, Norfolk Broads & Countryside is the leading visitor guide to the region and helps support a tourism industry that is worth around £565 million and generates around 10,000 jobs for the Norwich area. As well as the city’s cultural and entertainment highlights, this year the 60 page glossy brochure features over 175 places to stay and invaluable information on shopping, the Norfolk Broads, sports and leisure, eating out, attractions, plus a special events calendar, maps and travel information.
Michael Nutt, Managing Director of VisitNorwich, said “The cultural offer here in Norwich is one of the city’s great strengths, making it a truly compelling place for both day visits and short breaks, and in recent months we have been fortunate to see the fruits of some amazing new investment.
“To sense the cultural soul of the city you just have to walk down St Benedicts Street and count the musical instrument shops, browse the crafts on display as you sup your cappuccino at the King of Hearts or simply immerse yourself in the city’s amazing built heritage. But if you do want to go to an outstanding live performance or exhibition you are spoilt for choice. When it comes to culture, there are truly few places as special as Norwich.
“With culture and heritage being a special focus of the UK tourism industry in 2008, the new brochure will spearhead VisitNorwich’s drive to attract even more visitors to the region and to further increase our share of the city breaks market.”
Mark Hazell, Marketing Director of Norwich Theatre Royal, said “We’re pleased to support the brochure again this year and are looking forward to working with VisitNorwich to bring more visitors to the area. We have a fantastic line-up of performances at the Theatre over the year ahead and are proud to be part of Norwich’s thriving arts scene.”
The Norwich area is steeped in atmosphere and peppered with unique historical and architectural treasures. Thanks to its medieval origins, the city has an historic fabric that stands comparison with the finest in the UK – the fine Anglican cathedral standing in its beautiful close beside the river, the imposing Norman castle which houses an outstanding museum and art gallery, and the network of winding lanes whose delightful buildings house quirky shops, welcoming pubs and stylish restaurants.
As well as its acclaimed venues, the city plays host to a rich and diverse programme of arts events including the Norfolk & Norwich Festival, the oldest music festival in the land and now a leading international festival which brings some of the world’s finest artists and performers to the city for ten days in May. In the visual arts, Norwich was home to the famous Norwich School of painters and now it boasts an outstanding collection of contemporary and world art at the Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, whose iconic Norman Foster designed building was the subject of a huge £10 million refurbishment programme in 2006.
With the start of the 4-year Cultural Olympiad marking the end of the Beijing Olympics in August 2008, the countdown to the London Olympics in 2012 and the launch of VisitBritain’s Culture 08 campaign, culture is truly the theme of the moment and offers an exceptional opportunity to boost the Norwich area’s tourist profile among domestic and overseas visitors.
Key events in 2008
1-19 Apr Cats at Norwich Theatre Royal
2-17 May Norfolk & Norwich Festival
Summer Go Elephants! – a major outdoor arts event taking place across the city
3-6 Jul Lord Mayor’s Celebrations
11-14 Sept Heritage Open Days
Oct Norwich Fringe Festival
Oct DumDuckerDum Music Festival
Oct-Dec Autumn International Literary Festival
8-14 Oct Bidwells Norwich & Norfolk Food Festival
12-15 Nov Aurora - Animation Festival
Dec NORWICHRISTMAS: The City’s Festive Fayre