Looking back at Norwich Bus Station through the decades

Passengers travel here from the surrounding towns and villages before stepping off to join national routes to head to destinations further afield.

Over the years there have been a number of changes to the bus station but its importance to the region's transport network has not dwindled.

Here is a look back through the archives to see the changing face of the city's bus station.

Buses arriving at Norwich Bus Station in 1957 (Image: Archant)

Norwich Bus Station with Norwich Union Building construction in the background Dated 18 March 1961 (Image: Archant)

A view of a strike-bound Norwich Bus Station at Surrey Street taken from the roof of the Norwich Union building in 1974 (Image: Archant)

As we move into the 90s, Norwich Bus Station can be seen in full technicolour with a more modern fleet of buses heading in and out of the station.

An Eastern Counties bus at the station in 1996 (Image: Archant)

People waiting for buses and stepping off buses in 1999 (Image: Archant)

Buses awaiting passengers in 1994 (Image: Archant)

The cafeteria at the bus station opened on January 25, 1958. At the time an estimated five million passengers used the public transport hub per year.

It has long been a popular spot for travellers to grab a bite to eat before heading on their way.

An aerial shot of the bust station in 1997 (Image: Archant)

The future of Norwich bus station was put to the public in 2000 to help decide on how the bus interchange should be brought into the 21st century.

Norwich Bus Station's depot in 2000 (Image: Archant)

Funding for the new bus station was awarded in 2002 and planning consent was granted in 2003.

Demolition and construction began the following year in February.

Demolition of the old Norwich Bus Station began in 2004 (Image: Eastern Daily Press © 2004)

The remains of the old Norwich bus station which is being developed. (Image: Eastern Daily Press © 2004)

The new bus station taking shape, looking from above in 2004 (Image: Archant)

A contemporary design was planned for the new station.

Work progressing on Norwich Bus Station's roof in 2005 (Image: Archant © 2005)

The futuristic design of the roof continues to take shape (Image: Archant © 2005)

The result is reminiscent of a futuristic space ship, which stands out alongside the 1960s brutalist architecture of the adjacent Union Building.

Aerial view of Norwich Bus Station under construction (Image: Archant Norfolk Photographic © 2005)

Please enjoy these old photos from the EDP archive of the old Norwich Bus Station cafe. We hope they bring back fond memories of travelling to Norwich or around the city in days gone by.

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