In Norwich, the construction of a new City Hall had been a topic of debate for many years. The council members were divided, with some in favor of the project and others opposed to it. However, in the 1920s, architect Robert Atkinson presented his ideas for the development, and a competition was held to select the architects for the project. C H James and S Rowland of London were chosen as the winners.
The construction of the City Hall was not without challenges. The First World War interrupted the discussions about the building, and it wasn’t until the 1930s that plans began to take shape. The cost of the project was estimated to be around £400,000, a colossal sum at the time. The corporation had to work hard to raise the necessary funds, but eventually, the money was secured. Demolition of old buildings began, and construction on the City Hall and a new market place commenced.
Finally, on October 29, 1938, the City Hall was officially opened by King George VI and Queen Elizabeth. Tens of thousands of citizens gathered to welcome the royal couple, making it the largest gathering in the city’s history. The opening ceremony was well-organized, and the King and Queen were given a rousing welcome.
After the opening of the City Hall, the King went to Carrow Road to watch a football game between the Canaries and Millwall. It was the first time a reigning monarch had attended a Division 2 game. Meanwhile, the Queen headed to the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital to open the Geoffrey Colman Memorial, a new maternity wing.
However, despite the excitement of the City Hall opening, the looming threat of war cast a shadow over the city. Shelters were being dug, gas masks were issued, and young men were being called up to join the military. Just a few months after the opening of the City Hall, on September 3, 1939, Prime Minister Neville Chamberlain announced that the country was at war with Germany. The hopes for peace that had been celebrated at the City Hall were quickly fading away.
In conclusion, the opening of Norwich City Hall in 1938 was a significant event for the city. It marked the culmination of years of debate and planning and was celebrated with great enthusiasm by the citizens. However, it also served as a reminder of the rapidly changing times, with the threat of war looming in the background. The City Hall stood as a symbol of hope and progress, but its significance would soon be overshadowed by the events of the Second World War.
