Bank Plain

Situated at the top of Norwich’s Prince of Wales Road, Bank Plain was built as Barclays Bank in 1926 and holds a significant place in the city’s history. Home to Gurney’s Bank from 1775, it has also had life as the OPEN Youth Trust and a popular music venue.

Since acquiring the Bank Plain building, we’ve refurbished and reimagined its internal spaces to create inclusive, practical and engaging environments for our community. This transformation has included creating an entrance to the University on Castle Meadow, as well as a:

• large new student canteen and social workspace
• new Postgraduate Hub
• new home for our Student Support Services and Students’ Union.

The Project Hall at Bank Plain

The new Project Hall at Bank Plain is one of the UK’s largest studio spaces in higher education, dedicated to nurturing creativity and collaboration.

The innovative, multi-purpose space supports large group projects and experimentation across all disciplines.

Mechanism, a site-specific kinetic installation by artist Andrew Kearney, is installed at Bank Plain

Research at Norwich University

Our acquisition of 20 Bank Plain has also provided the opportunity to establish a dedicated research hub, providing a pioneering environment for thinking, making, showing and discussing critical creativity under one roof.

This includes the Sir Peter Cook Wonder Hub, a vibrant, interactive space designed by British architect, Sir Peter Cook.

What’s next for the Bank Plain building?

The next phase of the building’s transformation will see the refurbishment of the Project Hall, London Street entrance, reception and workspace areas. Our ambitious plans include creating a new public space for the city, featuring a café and gallery.

Meanwhile, a flagship new library and archive, complete with associated learning, teaching and administrative spaces, will ensure our collections can be fully used in innovative and collaborative ways by the University community, and beyond.