All the changes happening in Norwich city centre in 2023

1) Five Guys

Five Guys is hoping to open a second Norwich branch in the former Frankie and Benny’s restaurant in Riverside. 

The American fast-food giant is planning to build on the success of its Orford Place restaurant which opened in 2016. 

It is expected that a decision on the planning application will be made by October 13. 

2) Bar Cerdita

The launch night of Bar Cerdita in London Street, Norwich (Image: Bar Cerdita)

The owner of the popular Italian restaurant Benoli has launched a new venture in the city. 

Bar Cerdita is a new three-floor Spanish tapas restaurant in the former home of café Artel, which shut in February 2023, at 67 London Street.

The building has undergone a huge refurbishment with a downstairs bar area, a first-floor dining space and a top-floor private dining room. 

3) Mountain Warehouse

The Mountain Warehouse Norwich branch in London Street (Image: Google Maps)

Work is under way to transform the old Topshop site at Haymarket into a huge Mountain Warehouse store. 

Morrisons pulled out of plans to move into the site earlier this year. 

Building work has now started at the site, located at the top of Gentleman’s Walk, which has been completely gutted ahead of the revamp. 

4) Cluck’d

The grilled chicken restaurant is set to open in September in Westlegate. 

The restaurant, which will be the company’s first, is currently advertising for a number of jobs ahead of the big opening.

In its job descriptions, the restaurant says city folk can expect “mouth-watering chicken”.

5) The Bun Exchange

The Bun Exchange is getting its own premises in the Norwich Lanes (Image: Bun Exchange)

The Norwich burger brand is opening its own permanent premises after its pub kitchen residency at The Butcher Bhoy ended. 

Chef-owner Jeff Taylor is now finalising plans for the Bun Exchange’s own premises, which will be in the Norwich Lanes with the exact location yet to be announced.

6) Dune London

Dune is now open in Back of the Inns (Image: Eleanor Storey)

Dune London has made a return to the city and opened a new store in the Back of the Inns.

The brand offers an array of men’s and women’s bags, shoes and accessories and previously had a store in Chantry Place.

The shop was the former home of Jojo Maman Bebe.

7) Cornish Bakery

The building has been vacant since O2 closed in 2021 (Image: Newsquest)

The bakery is set to open at the former home of O2 at Castle Street on September 19. 

Nationally the business has 54 stores including bakeries in Southwold, Birmingham and Plymouth.

The chain sells traditional pasties, pizzetta and tortillas, as well as hot drinks. 

8) Plan Buritto 

Plan Burrito was first started in Loughborough in 2018 (Image: Plan Burrito)

A new burrito bar will be opening at Timber Hill.

While the launch date has yet to be confirmed, work has begun to transform the site previously occupied by Re: Source general store. 

On offer, to takeaway or eat-in, will be burritos, tacos and nachos, which can be customised with your choice of filling and sauces.

9) Bubba Kitchen 

The North American-style kitchen will be moving into a permanent home at White Lion Street.

Previously a pop-up kitchen at The Earlham in Earlham Road, the restaurant will now be taking up the premises previously owned by Fire Izakaya. 

The menu features freshly made pittas, tacos, burgers and fried chicken.

10) Wilko 

Wilko at St Stephens Street has had an everything must go sale since August 18 (Image: Newsquest)

The future of Wilko in St Stephens Street remains unclear but the store launched a huge administration sale in August. 

Redundancies across the company are to begin soon after a bid for the entirety of Wilko was unsuccessful. 

HMV, Poundland, B&M, The Range and Home Bargains are reportedly all interested in bidding to preserve most of Wilko’s stores.