Kate ScotterA Norwich church that has seen a rapid growth in its congregation has found a new home which will double up as a conference centre.Kate Scotter

A Norwich church that has seen a rapid growth in its congregation has found a new home which will double up as a conference centre.

The Proclaimers Church has been holding services at the Ramada Jarvis Hotel, in Boundary Road, since it lost its permanent home in Drayton six years ago.

Over the years, the church has seen its average attendance grow by 33pc and has been looking for a new venue.

Now, the church has taken on the lease of the former Fabric Warehouse in Rowntree Way, Sprowston, and is turning it into The Space.

The building, which is currently undergoing �175,000 of refurbishment work, will not only be home to the church, but will also be Norwich's newest conference centre.

Executive pastor Owen Morgan, who is leading the project, said: 'The church has outgrown the conference facilities that it uses and while looking around, we realised that although there are some great facilities in Norwich, there's not necessarily one which can cater for all the different things that you want to do.

'When you know what you want and can't find it, it can be frustrating, so we're trying to create something that people are looking for.'

The building, which is being funded by the church, will have an auditorium, which can seat 500 people, parking spaces for up to 200 cars, a large foyer and smaller meeting rooms.

It will be used by the church for its services, but then hired out to businesses on a not-for-profit basis.

Mr Morgan added: 'We're making the best use of our assets and providing a great service to businesses in Norfolk.

'The money will help pay for the building itself and any over and above will be invested back into the community.'

It is hoped The Space will open in July.

As previously reported in the Evening News, The Norwich Family Life Church is still looking for a new home after its building was burnt down four years ago.

The church recently lost out in its attempt to buy the 25,000sq ft former MFI warehouse on the City Gates industrial estate in Barker Road, Mile Cross, where it has been based since last November.

Have you got a story for the Evening News? Call reporter Kate Scotter on 01603 772326 or email kate.scotter@archant.co.uk