The demolition of a city centre landmark has begun.

After months of speculation, Victoria House, the former home of insurance firm Marsh in Queens Road, is finally coming down - and very quickly.

Scaffolding went up around part of the building towards the end of July, with metal scaffolding and plastic sheeting spotted cladding the north-west wing of Victoria House.

The site has been empty since the start of 2022 when Marsh announced it was moving staff to its new offices at Broadland Business Park.  

Demolition work was initially scheduled to begin by the end of September last year but it was revealed in October that no date had been set.

Wooden fencing was initially erected around the building in February, suggesting demolition work could start, but owners Zive Capital have previously kept quiet on progress.

The building was covered in scaffolding in preparation for the demolitionThe building was covered in scaffolding in preparation for the demolition (Image: Sonya Duncan)

Back in June, the company came under fire from local councillors for keeping their plans about the demolition secretive.

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Emma Corlett, county councillor for Town Close Ward who is working with City Hall to get answers, said: "They have a duty to engage with the community and take on board views and concerns from residents at the earliest stage possible - such as the preservation of trees on site - not when plans are already in place."

The former home of Marsh is coming down quicklyThe former home of Marsh is coming down quickly (Image: Sonya Duncan)

A Zive Capital spokesman said at the time: "We're in the early stages of progressing the site's redevelopment.

"We look forward to engaging with local residents, Norwich City Council and the wider community, in due course, so that feedback can help shape the proposals before an application is submitted for consideration.

"We also remain committed to keeping local representatives and residents informed about the programme for Victoria House's demolition, including the measures that will be put in place to minimise any disruption."