A Norwich-founded demolition company which relocated to the capital has returned for the first time in six decades for a ground-breaking project.

Valori Demolition was established in Norwich in 1947 by Frank Valori.

The Valori family were also notorious for their ventures in fish and chips and ice cream in the city.

It is believed that the family moved from Italy to England in the early 1900s and settled in Attleborough.

Norwich Evening News: A collection of old photographs of Valori demolition projects over the years on display at Chamberlain House, NorwichA collection of old photographs of Valori demolition projects over the years on display at Chamberlain House, Norwich (Image: Brittany Woodman)

It was after the war that business boomed for the family - who already had six fish and chip shops across the city and wider Norfolk area.

The family was part of the first wave of Italian entrepreneurs to introduce ice cream to the Fine City with Valori's Ices.

Frank Valori was once one of the biggest names in the demolition business, with his name appearing on sites all over the country - and even featuring in the back of a snap taken at the state funeral of wartime prime minister Winston Churchill.

'Where the Valori sign goes up, big buildings come down' was the playful slogan of the business at the time.

Norwich Evening News: Dean Manders of Valori Demolition at Chamberlain House, NorwichDean Manders of Valori Demolition at Chamberlain House, Norwich (Image: Brittany Woodman/ Archant)

Dean Manders, managing director at Valori - whose father Michael also started with the company in 1957 at the age of 17, said: "Valori was renowned for its controversial work on the Euston Arch.

"Frank had a silver model of the arch made and presented it to the government to commemorate it.

Norwich Evening News: Roshan Seesungkur, Kingsley Senior, Dean Manders and Vicki Manders of Valori at Chamberlain House for Valori's first Norwich project since 1961Roshan Seesungkur, Kingsley Senior, Dean Manders and Vicki Manders of Valori at Chamberlain House for Valori's first Norwich project since 1961 (Image: Brittany Woodman)

"This is the first time since 1961 that Valori is back in Norwich."

The last job Valori Demolition was contracted to undertake in the city was the demolition of the Norvic Cinema in Prince of Wales Road.

Norwich Evening News: Demolition of the Norvic Cinema, Prince of Wales Road. Picture dated December 6, 1961Demolition of the Norvic Cinema, Prince of Wales Road. Picture dated December 6, 1961 (Image: Archant)

Opened in 1910 as the Electric Theatre it was refurbished in and reopened as the Norvic in September 1949.

The picture house was demolished 1961, a year after it closed.

Norwich Evening News: Demolition of the Norvic Cinema, Prince of Wales Road. Picture dated December 6, 1961Demolition of the Norvic Cinema, Prince of Wales Road. Picture dated December 6, 1961 (Image: Archant)

The company is back once again in a bid to help transform the city.

It will work on what is set to be a multi-million pound, 91-bed hotel in Chamberlain House, once home to Tesco in Guildhall Hill.

The project in the Victorian building is set to be completed in 2023.

Norwich Evening News: Chamberlain House, 5 Guildhall Hill, Norwich - the former Tesco building - which is set to be a multi-million pound hotelChamberlain House, 5 Guildhall Hill, Norwich - the former Tesco building - which is set to be a multi-million pound hotel (Image: Brittany Woodman)

Other major revamps in Norwich

With work well under way at Chamberlain House to transform it into a swanky hotel, here is a glimpse of what other regeneration projects are happening across the city.

As part of the plans, there will also be a guest restaurant and two new retail units at the back of the site.

It was exclusively revealed by the Evening News back in April that the former Topshop in Haymarket is to become a Morrisons.

The city centre supermarket in the two-storey unit is set to open its doors in early 2023.

One of the most highly anticipated projects of 2022 - the former Jamie's Italian in the Royal Arcade - will reopen in November 2022 as Yalm.

It will be a food hall home to four bars and seven kitchens with room to welcome 300 diners and drinkers.

Eric's Pizza has been announced as the first kitchen confirmed for the Norfolk-centric shared dining experience.