We wanted to take a moment to update you on our efforts to find a new home for The Shoebox Community Hub. First and foremost, a heartfelt thank you to all who have shown unwavering support since we shared the news about our venue. Your encouragement has made this challenging time a bit more manageable, and we are truly grateful for the outpouring of support from our community, the press, and the public.
Exploring Alternatives
Behind the scenes, we’ve been hard at work exploring alternative premises for The Shoebox Community Hub. Some of you may be familiar with the Honesty Library in Castle Quarter, where we’ve received an offer to collaborate with New U. While this is a viable option, we are also actively exploring other spaces both within Castle Quarter and beyond. We promise to keep you updated, and as soon as we have a solid offer or a space to test out, you’ll be the first to know.
The Future of The Shoebox Experiences
As many of you know, our tours and experiences such as the Hidden Street Tour that operate from our current premises, have been a significant source of income to support everything that we do. Finding a replacement for these experiences has been a top priority. We’re excited to share that since going public, several promising options have come to our attention. One particularly exciting prospect is Carrow House, a place where Norwich City Council is inviting local voluntary, community, and social enterprise organisations to share a space and collaborate. The old Carrow House, once home to the Colman family, offers a unique space, including the old family vaults, which we believe have the potential to be brought to life through an exciting experience. While it’s still early days and not a done deal, having these options is a positive step forward.
Ensuring Continuity
It’s crucial for us to emphasise that although the current Shoebox Hub will close in April, the Shoebox Community itself will continue. Our commitment to hosting groups and activities remains and while the venue may change, the sense of community and the spirit of our activities will persist. We’re optimistic about finding a new, welcoming space for our community to gather, and we believe there are many exciting groups and activities in store for the future.
How You Can Help
If you have questions or if you’d like to contribute to our efforts, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with our team. Your support means the world to us, and together, we’ll work through this change and continue to build a vibrant and thriving Shoebox Community.