All the best for the Yuletide from Norwich over the Wensum Neighbourhood Forum.
As we adjust to the first festive season with the restricted shopping offer on Magdalen Street while Anglia Square is redeveloped. There is a sense of expectation. While we bus travellers and shoppers in the area are feeling the difference it’s re-assuring to see our local hospitality offer goes from strength to strength and that the community keeps supporting the restaurants and hostelries . Hipsters and those with an eye for a bargain and whose values mean that they would rather buy pre-loved items where possible continue supporting the Magdalen Street, and St Augustine’s specialist shops. Plus, now the screens are down, there is a whole range of new specialist traders and makers in the St Saviours Box Park whom we wish well , and hope you will check them out for those distinctive gifts.
NOW NF would love to hear what you have found to buy and if there is any feedback you have for the City Hall Planners with whom we meet frequently, and are advising us on promoting the Neighbourhood Plan statutory process, as well as doing their best to keep you informed what the plan is during the Re-development.
At the moment we seem to keep hearing what seems to be somewhat conflicting information about the medium-term picture for the major redevelopment, and where; for example, Aviva fit in, but NOWNF keeps pushing to get better co-ordinated communications for the Community despite the commercial sensitivities.
We are quietly confident that there is better to come in 2026. The Neighbourhood Plan after some final scene setting and enhancements will be made available in what we hope will be close to its final form both to the Consultees and the Community along with other interested individuals who wish the area well.
But in the meantime, we have the Festive season and whatever your faith, or philosophy we wish you an enjoyable and peaceful holiday season and every best wish from the Forum for the New Year, 2026: which will be an important one for Forum members and those who are supportive of the Neighbourhood Plan.
For your diary our first Community Café event of the year will be at Cactus Café in Magdalen Street on Saturday 17th November between 10 and 11.30 a.m.