Just off Elm Hill, in one of Norwich’s most well-loved churches, a new story is waiting to be told. 

Alma — an independent grassroots cultural arts venue and multi-use space for performing arts, dance, movement and community gathering — is hoping to open early 2026, on Princes Street in the currently disused United Reformed Church which sadly closed it’s doors and has sat empty since October 2020. 

The vision of Alma is led by Leticia Thope, who began her love of the arts selling paintings in Cuba’s marketplaces before settling in Norfolk 30 years ago to raise her family, she hopes Alma can be a modern-day assembly space — a place of shared story, creativity, and care.

The work done by Leticia so far has been on many levels, including consulting with Heritage Lottery to apply for a grant to restore the Henry Willis Organ to full working order, with future concert recitals and student access opportunities programmed once this restoration has been completed. The team behind Alma have experience programming international artists, educators, workshop facilitators and performers and are looking forward to bringing an interesting, curated and diverse range of creatives to the Norwich arts landscape.

The team very much see the United Reform Church as a unique venue for the City of Norwich, which will appeal to residents and visitors of all ages, backgrounds and nationalities. The venue will undoubtedly support the strategy of Norwich City Council and promotional arm Visit Norwich. Alma hopes to promote and support tourism and economic growth in the city and surrounding areas. They will work to help position Norwich as a leading destination for city breaks, cultural tourism and a flourishing destination for the arts. 

Alma, once opened, would be a new and exciting asset to the City’s cultural and strategic vision.

Built in 1819 to the designs of notable Norwich architect Edward Boardman, who was also one of the 1000 strong congregation, it went through a renovation in 2014 and then was acquired by Leticia who carefully restored the delapidated roof, with every slate needing repairing at great cost, upon her purchase in 2021. The space has sat unused and empty since that point, ready for it’s new journey to begin.

Once home to England’s first female Deacon in the 1800’s, Ethel Colman, from the historic Colman family, who then continued her pioneering legacy to become England’s first female Mayor, the building has long held a legacy of transformation and evolution. 

‘So 200 years after Princes Street URC was founded, the community continues even as the building closes. A reminder, if ever you needed one, that the faith held within these walls, for 200 years, has been one centred around resurrection.’ Jay Hulme

For over 200 years, the Princes Street URC has served its community — now Alma seeks to do the same, offering a new kind of community gathering.

Supported by a growing network of creatives, cultural business leaders, artists and allies, Alma’s team is calling for public and media support to help bring this vital space to the Norwich landscape, and ensure it continues to evolve in service of its community, whilst being sensitive to it’s history and current context.

Supporting and nurturing grassroots cultural spaces is high on the agenda of the UK government priorities; with task forces created to see a re-emergence of the spaces that are so vital to the UK creative industries and economy.

‘Arts and culture help us understand the world we live in, they shape and define society and are enjoyed by people in every part of our country. They are the building blocks of our world-leading creative industries and make a huge contribution towards boosting growth and breaking down barriers to opportunities for young people to learn the creative skills they need to succeed.’ Culture Secretary Lisa Nandy

With this being echoed on a more local level by support from Norwich City Council

‘Arts, culture and heritage is critical to the fabric and character of Norwich. The sector has been hit hard by the pandemic and it’s important that we work collectively with the sector, as part of our City Vision partnership, to support growth in this area over the longer term, recognising that it is essential to the city’s future and contributes to the general wellbeing of our residents.’

‘Today, people in Norwich spend more per capita on culture than anywhere else in the UK and the city remains a destination for poets, novelists, biographers, playwrights, translators, editors, literary critics, social critics, historians, environmentalists and philosophers. Investment and active involvement in the arts and cultural sector is a political priority of the city council.’ Norwich City Council 2040 Vision

FOLLOW, SHARE AND SUPPORT!

Please follow us on Instagram @alma.norwich and share with friends

Show direct support on the planning application here

We will keep supporters updated on the progress with committee dates on our social channels

Any questions or direct emails of support can be shared with helloalma.norwich@gmail.com