The Re-Birth of The Shopping Centre Food Court: Norwich Castle Social

Traditionally, UK shopping centre food courts are largely cloned, housing a limited number of multiple fast-food brands, piggy backing on the centre opening hours and servicing shoppers.

Castle Quarter, previously known as Castle Mall, Norwich was no different to others, however its food court is architecturally stunning, being designed by Michael Innes, with direct access onto the Castle Park and enjoying the potential to have independent external access outside of normal centre opening times.

Since their involvement asset managing the re-branded site; Rivington Hark has embarked on a new far-reaching strategy to re-introduce families and students into the shopping centre and as part of this strategy, Market Asset Management have taken a lease on the entire food court.

?The food court is now a home to independent trading and hospitality called CASTLE SOCIAL and includes a new and stunning bar operator Pinker and Green and five amazing independent street food kitchens.

The curation of the space is paramount in achieving balance to help ensure commercial success.

The food court benefits from excellent fenestration to its long fa?ade facing the park providing a very bright and pleasing environment to spend time during the day.

Carefully modified lighting provides a far more intimate and cosier environment as the evening draws in despite the vastness of the space.

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A mix of tables and chairs and comfortable lounge style furniture provides choices for how visitors wish to spend their time at Castle Social.

The evening ambience is also supported with live events carefully chosen to suit Norwich’s varied demographic.

Castle Social launched just a week or so ago at the start of November and trade is brisk and ongoing careful curation and pro-active management should deliver commercial maturity within just a few months.

Castle Social is the latest development for Market Asset Management (MAM) who already operate a number of street food halls and markets. MAM considering expansion into shopping centre, remodelling and re-purposing of food courts as one significant area of future growth.

MAM is actively seeking other shopping centre food court sites.