12 pictures of the Royal Arcade in Norwich through the ages

Opened in 1899, it was built on the site of a centuries-old coaching inn and underwent a six-year restoration programme in 1991 that cost nearly £3 million.

Writer John Betjeman said George Skipper, its architect, was to Norwich "what Gaudi was to Barcelona".

We take a look at the arcade through the ages with pictures from our archives.

The Arcade in 1995 (Image: Newsquest)

Christmas shopping at the Royal Arcade, November 24, 1994 (Image: Newsquest)

The Royal Arcade on February 21, 1995 (Image: Newsquest)

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A view down the Arcade in 2004 (Image: Newsquest)

The Arcade looking festive in December 1992 (Image: Newsquest)

Cars parked outside the Arcade on Gentleman's Walk in 1978 (Image: Newsquest)

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Scaffolding was erected around the Arcade during alterations in 1985 (Image: Scaffolding was erected around the Arcade during alterations in 1985)

A view of Langley's, long before it was moved to Chantry Place, 1976 (Image: Newsquest)

The east entrance, September 7, 1978 (Image: Newsquest)

READ MORE: 15 photos of the UEA through the decades - from 1960s to today

December 8, 1967 (Image: Newsquest)

The Arcade in 1962 (Image: Newsquest)

November 9, 1958 (Image: Newsquest)