Unfortunately and against our preference, it looks like the Norwich Wellbeing Centre will shortly be closing.
The building owner, Norwich City Council, had wanted to sell the building, but we had at least a year left on the lease and it was being sold as with a lease. We would have had talks with the new owners about the possibility of continuing, and if it looked unlikely we would let everyone know with a year of notice.
However the day before the auction Norwich City Council without warning or notice ended the lease and changed the locks on the building, and changed the description of the building to being a vacant building.
Our first priority was the people being helped over the next few days and we wanted to get in as soon as possible to help people immediately, and so we organised a licence to continue until Tuesday 2nd December. There may have been things that we coud have done at that point, but it would have delayed people continuing therapies and the training course needed paperwork inside the building.
The building then went to auction and while we did have people bidding on our behalf of up to £425,000 which was above the expected price with the year of lease, the building was sold as vacant at £502,000.
We have wanted to talk to the new owners about extending the lease, whether it would be ongoing, until the end of the school year for those courses, or just three more weeks to allow a group of vulnerable young people to finish a course, but unfortunately as of yet we have not heard from them.
Unfortunately this means that we will almost definitely be closing, and to allow time to clear the building the last bookings will be on the last weekend of November.
In that time the events and therapies booked here will continue, and a map of our location and some nearby parking is on the contact page.
Events that were booked here for after the 2nd December are in the process of finalising alternative venues going forwards, and they should not be affected. If you are booked on one of these courses then the organiser will let you know if any dates or times are affected.
We have been here for over a dozen years providing space, help, and advice to the local and wider community. In that time we have:
- Made a calm and welcoming space for over 140 therapists
- Worked with over 75 organisations for all kinds of works
- There’s been a wide variety of regular classes and activities including:
- Yoga,
- Belly dancing
- Tai Chi
- Pole dancing
- Bible studies
- Mindfulness
- Pilates
- Brazilian Jiu Jitsu
- Alexander Technique
- Had a huge number of social events ranging from weddings and wedding receptions, to birthday parties, to funeral receptions
- We’ve had well over 2,300 people getting qualifications to improve their future and help them get better work
It is with huge regret that it looks like we’ll be closing at the end of the month and wish everyone who has worked with us and everyone who has been here the best of futures.
All the best, the entire Norwich Wellbeing Centre team