Norwich, a city of stories, is also full of hidden history. We pride ourselves in showcasing that history, whether with our famed Hidden Street Tour or showcasing our historic pubs with the Tipsy Tavern Trail Tour or our seasonal events like the Lantern Light Underground Tour or Chronicles of Christmas Tour, there’s something for everyone. What’s more, every ticket goes towards our social mission to empower people to connect with their communities and lead fulfilling lives. Board game evenings, mental health support groups and skill-building sessions are just a few of the ways that The Shoebox Community Hub brings people together.
Now, we’re inviting you to lift the lid on our historic tours and experiences this October half term. Our mysterious Shoebox will be appearing in Castle Quarter. You will all be invited inside to experience a snippet of The Shoebox Experiences, and get inspired with quirky activities that you never knew were hiding right on your doorstep!
“As a city with such a rich tapestry of stories and history, we’re always excited to showcase Norwich in new and engaging ways. The giant Shoebox pop-up offers a unique chance for visitors to step into the hidden corners of our city’s past, while directly supporting the work we do across the community. It’s a fun, interactive way to give people a taste of our tours and experiences, and we hope it inspires many to explore more of Norwich’s untold stories.”- Tom Gaskin, CEO, The Shoebox Enterprises CIC.
Bringing to life this giant Shoebox is a local experiential marketing agency Image Experiential. Responsible for the concept, design, and creation of the unique pop-up experience, Managing Director Alex Cosham shared what made the project stand out to them. “We know the power of experiences for all sorts of brands and businesses. When it came to the Shoebox and their work right on our doorstep, we were immediately excited at the scope of history and stories to share in a memorable way. But more than that, we’re incredibly proud to be part of directing the power of
these experiences back into our community and recognising the amazing history of Norwich. It’s just the beginning of more big ideas coming alive in the city of stories!”
The installation is going to be based at Castle Quarter, which continues to grow its leisure and entertainment offer, most recently with the additions of darts venue ArrowHeadz and motorsport simulator experience, Drive Lounge. Now recognised as Norwich’s leading social, leisure and lifestyle destination, Castle Quarter also offers lots of free, family-friendly activities and events throughout the year, making sure there is always a reason to visit. The Giant Shoebox is the latest collaboration.
Gemma Hyde, Marketing and Administration Manager for Castle Quarter says it shouldn’t be missed. “We’ve been in the heart of Norwich for more than 30 years, but with so many secret stories to tell, there’s always something new to learn about our incredible city, and the Shoebox Experience brings that to life. We can’t wait to have the giant shoebox in the quarter this autumn, where curious minds can go on a mini adventure to discover new stories about Norwich’s rich past, all while supporting the Shoebox Community Hub which delivers so much good work here in the city.”
You can unbox the secrets of the real-life Shoebox in Castle Quarter, at the bottom of the spiral staircase next to Boots, from Monday 28th October – Sunday 3rd November. Hopefully, we’ll see you there!