It was the product of 13 years of design and planning - and four years of construction. And Norwich's original mall celebrated entering its 25th year over the weekend.

Norwich Evening News: Castle Mall celebrates its 25th year of opening. Marketing manager Gemma Hyde with special guest Peppa Pig. Picture: ANTONY KELLYCastle Mall celebrates its 25th year of opening. Marketing manager Gemma Hyde with special guest Peppa Pig. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Castle Mall opened its doors in September 1993 and prompted international interest in its multi-level underground setup. Some of the shops included in the original floor plan still call it home today, including Boots, Argos, and Vision Express.

Nowadays it boasts the Vue cinema and a new set of restaurant units have been built, in a development known as The Terrace. However, it is still not clear when these may open. On Saturday children were treated to party bags and cake - and got to meet Peppa Pig.

Centre manager Robert Bradley said: 'Having recently returned to the centre, I can see how far it has come over the decades and I am so excited to celebrate and then get cracking with more fantastic events to continue to stamp Castle Mall as a huge part of Norwich.'

Norwich Evening News: Castle Mall celebrates its 25th year of opening. Handing out cakes to cutomers. Picture: ANTONY KELLYCastle Mall celebrates its 25th year of opening. Handing out cakes to cutomers. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Castle Mall celebrates its 25th year of opening. Customers got to meet special guest Peppa Pig. Picture: ANTONY KELLYCastle Mall celebrates its 25th year of opening. Customers got to meet special guest Peppa Pig. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Castle Mall celebrates its 25th year of opening. Customers got to meet special guest Peppa Pig. Picture: ANTONY KELLYCastle Mall celebrates its 25th year of opening. Customers got to meet special guest Peppa Pig. Picture: ANTONY KELLY (Image: Archant Norfolk 2017)

Norwich Evening News: Scale model of the Castle Mall, date unknown Photo: Archant libraryScale model of the Castle Mall, date unknown Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Construction of Castle Mall in March 1990. Photo: Archant libraryConstruction of Castle Mall in March 1990. Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Inside Castle Mall, August 1992. Photo: Archant libraryInside Castle Mall, August 1992. Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Model of the proposed Castle Mall development, January 1988. Photo: Archant libraryModel of the proposed Castle Mall development, January 1988. Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Aerial view of the Castle Mall archaeological dig, July 1990. Photo: Archant libraryAerial view of the Castle Mall archaeological dig, July 1990. Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Artist's impression of the Castle Mall development, date unknown. Photo: Archant libraryArtist's impression of the Castle Mall development, date unknown. Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Castle Mall, date unknown Photo: Archant libraryCastle Mall, date unknown Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Castle Mall floor plan in 1993. Photo: Archant libraryCastle Mall floor plan in 1993. Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Construction of Castle Mall in February 1990. Photo: Archant libraryConstruction of Castle Mall in February 1990. Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Castle Mall development, September 1990. Photo: Archant libraryCastle Mall development, September 1990. Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Castle Mall development, August 1990. Photo: Archant libraryCastle Mall development, August 1990. Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)

Norwich Evening News: Castle Mall development, February 1992. Photo: Archant libraryCastle Mall development, February 1992. Photo: Archant library (Image: Archant library)