The Forum

What's On

There's always something going on at The Forum!

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Visit Us

The Forum building is open.


Click here to see the latest updates about organisations inside the building.

Parking

The Forum car park is open.

Monday - Sunday 7am-midnight



Parking Prices
£2 per hour between 7am - 7pm
Payment is via pay-on-foot machines with card payment only (contactless available)

Location: The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1TF

The Forum is managed by the Forum Trust an independent, self-financing charity. Income raised from our car park helps to support our programme of FREE year-round events and look after The Forum building.

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Our Festivals

Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture returning 11-20 September 2020.

It’s your chance to see hidden places and try out new experiences – and it’s all FREE.

The Forum coordinates Heritage Open Days across Norfolk.

For enquiries contact the Norfolk HODs team on [email protected]

• Follow HODs on Facebook

Norwich Science Festival is your chance to explore the wonders of the universe, meet the scientists whose research has changed our world and debate some big questions with some big-thinkers.

Inspirational exhibitions, sensational shows and an abundance of hands-on science activities for all ages and all levels of knowledge; plus a dedicated learning programme for schools, youth groups and home-educated learners.

• Visit norwichsciencefestival.co.uk

Norfolk Makers Festival is back 6-21 February 2021 at The Forum with bundles of free fun for all ages and abilities! Enjoy sixteen days of open exhibitions, free activities, workshops, demonstrations, talks and crafty conversations.

The Festival is free to enter and offers the chance to have a go at an exciting range of both traditional and modern crafts.

• Visit norfolkmakersfestival.co.uk

UPDATE: NORWICH GAMES FESTIVAL 2020 CANCELLED
In light of current concerns about Coronavirus (Covid-19) we have made the difficult decision to cancel Norwich Games Festival 2020, due to take place 25-30 May. It’s not a decision we took lightly but the safety and wellbeing of our visitors must come first.

Norwich Games Festival is a free, family-friendly celebration of video games.

• Visit norwichgamesfestival.com

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News

The Forum to reopen Monday 6 July
Thu 2 July
The Forum will reopen at 7am on Monday 6 July with a comprehensive range of measures in place to meet Government Covid Secure guidelines.


Heritage Open Days festival to go ahead in September
Tue 23 Jun
Many events in the cultural calendar have been forced to cancel due to Covid-19 but Heritage Open Days is set to go ahead with the celebration of community and local stories now more important than ever. Heritage Open Days will run 11-20 September

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Venue Hire

The Forum offers a unique and inspiring location for exhibitions, performances, conferences, business events, promotions and effective public engagement.

Space to Hire
Atrium | Gallery | Auditorium | The View | Outside

Contact our venue hire team for more information, to book a space or see the facilities first hand.
James Coates Tel: 01603 727963 or Kim Sedgwick Tel: 01603 727964

• Download Venue Hire Price List

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Atrium

The Forum's stunning public Atrium provides over 400sq meters of flexible floor space under the vast glass roof.

This is a spectacular setting for a range of events and is available in part or as a whole. For evening events the electronic blinds can be lowered to create an exclusive space for receptions, concerts and dinners.

Ideal for: Exhibitions | Fairs and Markets | Promotions | Community Events | Evening Concerts and Dinners

Capacity: Flexible depending on zone(s) booked. Up to 400 people seated or 600 standing. Space for up to 35 stands.

Availability: 7am - midnight, Monday-Sunday


Zone 1 £225 +VAT per day | Concessionary rate £157.50 +VAT per day+

Zone 2 £250 +VAT per day | Concessionary rate £175 +VAT per day+

Zone 3 £125 +VAT per day | Concessionary rate £87.50 +VAT per day+

Zone 4 £100 +VAT per day | Concessionary rate £70 +VAT per day+

All Zones £700 +VAT per day | Concessionary rate £490 +VAT per day+

Click here to view Atrium Floor Plan

Private events which require staffing in the Atrium will be charged from £60+VAT per hour (price to be agreed).

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Gallery

The Gallery is a versatile exhibition and event space off The Forum's Atrium with custom lighting and AV options which can hired by the hour. The Gallery can be hired alone or alongside other spaces and makes an ideal breakout and networking space when hired with The Auditorium.

Ideal for: Exhibitions and displays | Private receptions | Launches and brand awareness events | Conferences and AGMs

Capacity: 100 standing or 85 seated

Availability: 7am - midnight, Monday-Sunday+

£75 +VAT per hour | Concessionary rate £52.50 +VAT per hour++

SPECIAL OFFER 10% off when you book with The Auditorium+++

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Auditorium

The Auditorium is purpose-built with tiered seating for 120 people providing excellent sight lines and is suited to a diverse range of events.

The Auditorium is designed for multi-media presentations and includes a lobby area which is ideal for catering and hospitality with plasma screens to brand your event.

Ideal for: Presentations | Conferences | Training | Talks | Networking | Small performances

Capacity: 120 seated

Availability: 7am - midnight, Monday-Sunday

£75 +VAT per hour | Concessionary rate £52.50 +VAT per hour+

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The View

The View is a new flexible working and meeting space at The Forum.

The View can be booked by the hour and features fast WiFi, flexible furniture, interactive Avocor screen for presentations, video conferencing and more. The room is accessible via the Atrium lift and has a disabled toilet.

Ideal for: Meetings | Training courses | Workshops | Networking Events

Capacity: 30 seated / 20 boardroom

Availability: 7am-midnight, Monday to Sunday

£40 +VAT per hour

SPECIAL OFFER discounted parking at The Forum for you and your delegates when you book The View+++

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Outside

The Forum is located in one of the busiest pedestrian areas in Norwich and the traffic free spaces outside the building are ideal for public events.

The Forum’s amphitheatre on Millennium Plain is used for large scale extravaganzas, such as the Norfolk and Norwich Festival’s opening night, through to smaller events such charity promotions and markets.

The undercover space immediately in front of The Forum is called Upper Millennium Plain and is also available for use. As is the area between The Forum and Theatre Street, called Theatre Plain.

Ideal for: Food and Craft Fairs | Community Celebrations | Charity Promotions | Outdoor Performances | Road shows

Capacity: On application

Availability: 7am - midnight, Monday-Sunday

Amphitheatre £225 +VAT per day | Concessionary rate £100 +VAT per day+

Upper Millennium Plain £225 +VAT per day | Concessionary rate £100 +VAT per day+

Theatre Plain £225 +VAT per day | Concessionary rate £100 +VAT per day+

Concessionary Rate Multi-space Deal Book 2 spaces for £150 +VAT or all outdoor spaces for £200 +VAT+

Click here to view the outside spaces floor plan

+Availability may be subject to change due to pre-booked events organised by The Forum.
++Concessionary rate. We are able to apply a reduced hire rate to events or activities which meet and help deliver the Forum’s charitable objectives, on a discretionary basis. We reserve the right to consider every event on an individual basis. At our discretion we may be able to offer small areas for charitable events. A minimum administration fee of £35 + VAT may be charged for such charitable events which do not require staffing/resources.
+++This offer is subject to availability and can be withdrawn by The Forum at any time.

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About Us

The Forum is an iconic public building in the heart of Norwich open seven days a week+.

You will find an eclectic mix of events and activities, food and drink, shopping, information services and the most popular public library in the UK. Organisations from across the region host events inside and outside the building - from markets, fairs and exhibitions to community celebrations, charity events and live performances.

The Forum is the home of the Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library, the Tourist Information Centre, the Norfolk Citizens’ Advice Bureau, Pizza Express, Café Bar Marzano, The Forum Shop by Jarrolds and BBC East.

The Forum is managed by The Forum Trust, an independent, self-financing educational charity. The Forum Trust creates a year-round programme of free events which celebrate the talent and achievements of people in the Eastern region.

The Forum Trust produces Norwich Science Festival, Norwich Games Festival, Norfolk Makers Festival and Heritage Open Days, and supports community events including Run Norwich and Norfolk Disability Pride.

The Forum Trust’s events and the upkeep of the building are supported by our commercial activities including The Forum car park, venue hire and renting space to our tenant organisations.

+Except Christmas Day and Boxing Day

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