Welcome to The Forum
A landmark building in the heart of Norwich.
Open 7 days a week. 7am-midnight
What's On | Our Festivals
Venue Hire | Contact | Visit
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
The Forum is open 7am to midnight every day except Christmas and Boxing Day.
Location: The Forum, Millennium Plain, Norwich, Norfolk, NR2 1TF
The Forum is home to the Millennium Library | Cafe Bar Marzano | Pizza Express | The Forum Shop by Jarrold | Norwich Tourist Information Centre | Norfolk Citizens Advice | BBC East
Parking
The Forum has a dedicated underground car park with 204 spaces, open seven days a week: 7am – midnight
Parking Prices
£2 per hour between 7am - 5.30pm | £2.50 fixed charge between 5.30pm and midnight
Parking charges apply to Blue Badge holders
Payment is via pay-on-foot machines which accept cash and cards (including contactless)
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 programme of 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 727967
[email protected]
Millennium Library
01603 774774 [email protected]
© The Forum Trust Ltd 2020. All rights reserved. Charity no. 1074619. Company no. 3470398
Our Festivals
Norfolk Makers Festival is back 8-23 February 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 the festival website for the full events programme.
Norwich Games Festival is a free, family-friendly celebration of video games.
Explore the latest releases, classic retro games, coding and game technology.
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.
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.
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+
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+
+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.
Thank you
One of our team will be in touch with you shortly.