Changing Face of Norwich
- Orford Place
Orford Place did not exist until the coming of the trams in 1900, when it became the central transport hub for Norwich. That role was short lived as the trams stopped in 1935 and WWII bombing left it wasted until the rebuilding of Curls Department store, which consumed much of it, in 1956. This left Orford Place as we see it today, a somewhat insignifcant back street linking Red Lion street with the Haymarket.
This map from 1884 shows the island site that was demolished to provide a terminus for the trams coming into and leaving the City centre
This view is from Orford Hill looking across to the junction of Red Lion street and Little Orford Street c.1895.
The corner shop will be demolished to create Orford Place.
However the India Rubber Company building on the opposite corner remains to this day.
Looking from the Haymarket end towards the Little Orford Street fork c.1895
Possibly the view from Little Orford Back Street towards the Haymarket (but I am not certain)
Loverly view from the Haymarket to Little Orford Street c.1895
View from Red Lion street along Little Orford Back Streetc.1895
The view across to Red Lion Street of the new tram hub pre 1910
Early days for the trams pre 1910
A quiet morning in Orford Place. Probably pre 1910
This view from the bottom of Orford Hill shows the India Rubber company still there but the tramlines have been laid and the the lovely ornate Burlington Building (built 1906) takes a dominent position.
A completed and well established Orford Place. Probably pre WWI c.1910
The Haymarket end of Orford Place looking extremely prosperous c.1910
Lots of activity around this bustling terminus on Orford Place, from here tram routes led from the City to the suburbs.
The buildings to the right of the image are still very recognisable today as, of course, is St Peter Mancroft which we can see in the distance.
However, the vista to the left and indeed Orford Place itself has changed beyond recognition.
In this lovely photograph we are treated to a view of Curls Brothers Department store, one of the City’s leading retailers.
The Curls family first purchased property on this block around 1860. Subsequently the store prospered and expanded,
in 1920 it was taken over by Debenhams and by 1929 occupied a floor space of some 51,000 square feet. c.1930.
Silver Jubilee celebrations for George V 1935
Coronation celebrations for King George IV and Queen Elizabeth 1937
Looks like the trams have gone but still pre war. c.1938
In April 1942 disaster struck when the entire block on which Curls stood was destroyed by enemy bombing.
The store was not rebuilt until 1956, the delay being caused by the Council wanting to widen Brigg Street, Rampant Horse Street and Red Lion Street – to facilitate a new form of transport – the motor car.
Unsurprisingly, as such a scheme would have reduced the size of the store by 1.5 acres, it did not find favour with the owners.
Eventually compromise was reached, which included Curls’ building over most of Orford Place (which is now a narrow thoroughfare) and extending to some four storeys plus basement.
The new store extended to some 97,000 square feet and was described as ‘dominating the shopping area of Norwich as the Norman Castle…once dominated East Anglia.’
