The Forum
The building is now closed to the public for the safety of all our staff and visitors. We hope to see you all soon!
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Coronavirus update
The Forum building, all businesses, library and car park are closed to the public.
All public events at The Forum have been postponed.
See below for the latest information about businesses and organisations inside the building.
The Forum Office
The Forum Office is closed, we are operating with a reduced team and are only able to answer urgent queries at this time. Contact [email protected]
Norfolk and Norwich Millennium Library
The library is now closed. For further information, renewals and ebook borrowing advice visit the Norfolk County Council website>
Tourist Information Centre
The Tourist Information Centre is closed until further notice.
Norfolk Citizens Advice
Norfolk Citizens Advice has stopped providing face-to-face advice, with the drop-in service and any follow up appointments cancelled until further notice.
Anyone who needs advice can call 03444 111 444 or visit www.ncab.org.uk and click 'Email Advice.'
For Universal Credit 'Help to Claim', call 0800 1448444.
Cafe Bar Marzano
The cafe is closed until further notice.
Pizza Express
Pizza Express is closed until further notice
The Forum Shop by Jarrold
The Forum Shop is closed until further notice.
For further information about the coronavirus and for the latest Government advice visit the gov.uk website>
This is a temporary website while our main site is under construction.
See below for a flavour of what's on and check out our social media for event details.
What's On
There's always something going on at The Forum!
Visit Us
From 7pm on Saturday 21 March The Forum building will close to the public.
Click here to see the latest updates about organisations inside the building.
Parking
The Forum car park will remain open daily 7am to 7pm. There will be no access from the car park to the main Forum building and no lift access. You will need to access the car park via the Theatre Street stairs.
Parking Prices
£2 per hour between 7am - 7pm
Payment is via pay-on-foot machines which accept cash and cards (including contactless)
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.
Contact us
Fill in your details and one of our team will be in touch.
Forum Office
(for general enquiries) 01603 727950 [email protected]
Forum Customer Services and lost property
01603 537690
[email protected]
Norfolk & Norwich Millennium Library
01603 774774 [email protected]
Norwich Tourist Information Centre (TIC)
01603 213 999 [email protected]
Norfolk Citizens Advice
03 444 111 444
© The Forum Trust Ltd 2020. All rights reserved. Charity no. 1074619. Company no. 3470398. Privacy Policy
Our Festivals
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.
Heritage Open Days is England's largest festival of history and culture.
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]
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.
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.
News
The Forum to close to the public from Saturday 21 March
Fri 20 Mar
For the health of everyone who uses The Forum, we will be closing the building to the public from 7pm on Saturday 21 March. Our car park will remain open from 7am-7pm, accessible only via the Theatre Street stairs with no lift access.
Norwich Games Festival 2020 Cancelled
Mon 16 Mar
In the light of updated guidance from Public Health England and an abundance of caution The Forum has taken the difficult decision to cancel Norwich Games Festival 2020 which was due to return to The Forum from Monday 25 May - Saturday 30 May 2020.
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
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).
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+++
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+
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+++
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.
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
Thank you
One of our team will be in touch with you shortly.
Forum Office closure
We’ve temporarily reduced the The Forum team during this unprecedented period and we will only be responding to urgent queries.
Please contact our main office [email protected] and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.
The team can’t wait to get back to normal life and welcome you to our fantastic building, and events for the whole community once again.
We look forward to celebrating that moment with you. In the meantime the very best wishes from the Forum team to everyone who uses the building, and all our partners.
Stay at home, protect the NHS and save lives.