Video
From the editor: Schemes that keep Norwich vibrant and buzzing
Norwich BID's latest City of Stories mural by Joey La Meche.Picture: ANTONY KELLY - Credit: Archant
I want to write in praise of the people behind two particular Norwich city centre projects this week.
The first is an artistic scheme which has, over the past two years, transformed previously non-descript parts of the city centre into something truly innovative and exciting.
As part of the City of Stories project, Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) commissioned seven large murals to be designed on to the sides of buildings.
The last of these was unveiled this week and depicts an Iceni tribal marketplace and covers the entire underside of an archway near Castle Meadow.
If you haven't seen them yet I'd encourage you to seek them out, as the artwork on all seven is stunningly intricate with each one bringing real life to the area they are in.
I think they are fantastic and could become popular tourist landmarks over the years to come.
My only slight disappointment was to learn that this most recent mural, the seventh design, is to be the last.
Most Read
- 1 City teen gets celebrity backing for prom dress
- 2 Class A drugs seized from three men in city woods
- 3 Pub closes for £5,000 refurb to enable it to serve drinks faster
- 4 Restaurant with 'interactive dining experience' to open in Norwich
- 5 City chip shop might be SINKING but refuses to close
- 6 'We just want to hold our son' - Plea for help to bring miracle baby home
- 7 Plea to get 5ft mega bush axed from busy pavement
- 8 Country pub announces closure due to rising costs
- 9 Teen slapped with six points on licence - but she can't even drive
- 10 Waiting game over fate of housing bid for former school playing field
I hope it isn't and encourage Norwich BID to continue the project and perhaps expand it out to some of the new areas which now come under their watch.
Meanwhile, on Thursday night I had the great pleasure of attending the latest event in preparation for next year's GoGoHares trail.
This was the all important sponsors selection evening where those who give money to back the project get to choose which artistic design they will be attached to.
I'll be honest I never knew it was such a serious business, with sponsors negotiating with each other over designs, but the fact it was shows just how successful the GoGo trails have become. They are a serious proposition for sponsors now.
And with at least four completed hares on show, I'm very pleased to report back this year's trail is set to be another stunner and will appeal to young and old.
With a potential 500,000 people visiting Norwich in 2018 for the trail it promises to be another year where the best our city has to offer is put on show. I for one cannot wait.
