City tour guides now have a new home in Norwich, more than two years after the Tourist Information Centre at The Forum closed.

It opened at the venue in November 2001 and was previously located at The Guildhall and Augustine Steward House.

The centre was funded by Norwich City Council, who announced its permanent closure in April 2021.

Norwich Evening News: The team at The Shoebox Hub with the city guides at their new home Picture: Sonya Duncan The team at The Shoebox Hub with the city guides at their new home Picture: Sonya Duncan (Image: Newsquest)

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The reason was given as the pandemic "escalating the trend of people accessing information online".

Norwich Evening News: The Norwich Tourist Information Centre was previously located at The ForumThe Norwich Tourist Information Centre was previously located at The Forum (Image: Archant)

The Association of the City of Norwich Tourist Guides and Blue Badge Guides, who are also involved in Norfolk's Heritage Open Days, found themselves without a base.

Fortunately, in 2022 The Forum stepped in to keep the tours running with admin and advertising help. 

However, The Forum was unable to continue this in 2023 so put the guides in touch with The Shoebox Experiences in Castle Meadow.

Norwich Evening News: The guides have found a new home at The Shoebox ExperiencesThe guides have found a new home at The Shoebox Experiences (Image: Sonya Duncan)

The hub already offers a range of tours and the profits support its community work. 

Lisa Willett, customer experience manager, said: "We saw it as a great opportunity to welcome the guides and add their City of Centuries Tour to our portfolio.

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"We have also got a pop-up visitor centre in The Forum next to the café from Thursday to Saturday until September 17 in partnership with The Forum, Visit Norwich and the Broads National Park."

Norwich Evening News: The City of Centuries Tour ends at Norwich Cathedral Picture: Denise BradleyThe City of Centuries Tour ends at Norwich Cathedral Picture: Denise Bradley (Image: Archant)

The City of Centuries Tour starts at The Forum and ends at Norwich Cathedral, with an introduction to Norwich and its history, with the first one on August 23. 

Jonathan Hooton, chair of the Association of the City of Norwich Tour Guides, said: "Our members have a wealth of knowledge and experience that they are keen to share with visitors and local people alike.

"We are looking forward to being able to offer our tours once again." 

Tickets cost £15 for adults, £8 for children (4-12) and under 4s go free at theshoebox.org.uk or visit the pop-up in The Forum.