Key Takeaways
- Norfolk County Council has appointed The Reclaim and Salvage Company to sell features from Norwich Castle, including the old visitor entrance door and Victorian balcony balustrades.
- The council receives a percentage of the money made from the sales, which will be used to support the museum service.
- The features were removed during the £27.5m Royal Palace Reborn revamp, which has restored the original floor levels of the 900-year-old Norman structure.
- Some removed elements have been reused within Norwich Castle, including Victorian pine floorboards now decorating the front of the servery in the new café.
- The sales of the removed features are expected to generate significant revenue for the council, although the exact amount has not been disclosed.
Introduction to the Project
The Royal Palace Reborn revamp at Norwich Castle has been a significant undertaking, with a price tag of £27.5m. The project aimed to restore the original floor levels of the 900-year-old Norman structure and make the battlements accessible to all visitors. As part of the renovation, several features were removed, including the old visitor entrance door, the staircase leading to the keep, and Victorian balcony balustrades. These features have been carefully dismantled and are now being sold by The Reclaim and Salvage Company, a family-run business based in Henstead.
The Removal and Sale of Features
The removal of the features was carried out with great care, and a full photographic record and detailed digital measured survey were made before dismantling. Representative sections of all elements have been retained for the permanent museum collections, ensuring that the historical significance of the features is preserved. The removed elements, including stone blocks, railings, windows, and Victorian railings, are now being sold to the public. Some items, such as the maple flooring from the former shop, have already been sold. The council has not disclosed the exact amount generated from the sales so far, but it is expected to be significant.
The Renovation and Its Impact
The Royal Palace Reborn revamp has had a significant impact on Norwich Castle, restoring the original floor levels and making the battlements accessible to all visitors. New lifts and a bridge have been installed, allowing visitors to explore the medieval gallery, which features world-class objects loaned from the British Museum. The renovation has also enabled the reuse of some removed elements, such as the Victorian pine floorboards, which now decorate the front of the servery in the new café. The sales of the removed features are expected to generate revenue for the council, which will be used to support the museum service.
The Significance of the Features
The features being sold are not only historically significant but also hold architectural interest. The Victorian balcony balustrading, for example, is a unique feature that has been carefully removed and is now available for sale. The sales of these features provide an opportunity for individuals to own a piece of history, while also supporting the museum service. The council’s decision to sell the features is a pragmatic approach to generating revenue, while also ensuring that the historical significance of the features is preserved.
Conclusion
The sale of features from Norwich Castle, including the old visitor entrance door and Victorian balcony balustrades, is a unique opportunity for individuals to own a piece of history. The Royal Palace Reborn revamp has restored the original floor levels of the 900-year-old Norman structure and made the battlements accessible to all visitors. The sales of the removed features are expected to generate significant revenue for the council, which will be used to support the museum service. As the sales continue, it is likely that more items will be sold, providing an opportunity for individuals to own a piece of history while also supporting the preservation of Norwich Castle.