Cat House in Dereham Road, Norwich starts to take bookings

The Cat House will be opening in Dereham Road with the feline-themed arts centre offering the public a chance to meet cats in many ways, from Wednesdays through to Sundays, in lounging sessions which last 90 minutes.

Many of the cats who have moved into the House come from rescue centres (Image: Sunray Photography)

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The business has been two years in the making and on Tuesday, August 8 the first few customers will be able to try it out.  

Owner and manager Sarah Price has poured her heart and soul into the venture which gives cats a home in an enriching environment while also promoting cat rescue centres and charities based in the county.  

The lounge sessions will be suitable for people ten and over (Image: Sunray Photography)

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Sarah said: "It is very important to me that we help find rescue cats their forever, loving homes.

"The majority of our cats are rescues, each with its own tale to tell 

"I started The Cat House with my savings and a small amount of funds my mum left me when she passed away.  

Sarah is working with city based businesses to offer drinks and sweet treats (Image: Sunray Photography)

“My mum is woven into the fabric of this project, and I couldn’t have done it without her, even though she is no longer with us.” 

Cats can offer comfort in hard times, and that was certainly the case for Sarah.  

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The lounge sessions will give cat fans a chance to get close to a range of different breeds (Image: Sunray Photography)

She plans to offer the Cat House for private bookings to groups who feel they would benefit from being with the cats, and from having the space to themselves. 

Having been helped by fellow cat lovers and volunteers, Sarah added: “I'm so grateful for all their help and support.

There are many different characters to meet (Image: Sunray Photography)

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"The kindness of strangers and friends has been heartwarming." 

Booking and more information is at cathousenorwich.org.  

Sarah also plans on introducing a singles night at the cat café (Image: Sunray Photography)

What can you do at The Cat House? 

An entry fee of £12 includes a 90-minute session at The Cat House.

It includes the booking fee and first drink – which can be chosen from Strangers Coffee, loose-leaf tea from The T Junction and artisanal soft drinks and fruit juices.  

The cafe will also share information on cat rescues and charities (Image: Sunray Photography)

There will be additional sweet treats that can be purchased made by city-based Busy Bee Bakes – with loads of options for gluten-free and plant-based palettes. 

There will also be various cat-themed arts and wellness classes, workshops and events which range from painting classes and book clubs to cat yoga and meditation.  

The House house features a massive paper Mache cat tree made by Sarah which took six weeks to complete (Image: Sunray Photography)

There will also be board game sessions and grooming workshops – with much more being added all the time.  

One for the not-too-distant future, once Sarah has gained her alcohol license, will be a singles evening for cat lovers called ‘Must Love Cats’ so watch this space. 

The cats have now moved into the Cat House and are getting used to their surroundings before opening (Image: Sunray Photography)