City Hosts Norwich

The City Hosts who have become a regular sight across our vibrant city, in their blue tabards, helping and assisting visitors and locals are now launching a new initiative aimed at the business community, Know Norwich.

As part of Norwich Business Improvement District (BID), the City Hosts are giving Norwich businesses and their staff the opportunity to learn more about our wonderful and intriguing City of Stories.

The Know Norwich scheme is designed to give participants a one hour whistle stop walking tour highlighting some of the quirky, unusual and interesting facts about the city as well as touching on some important facts from history.

The City Hosts who are usually armed with Norwich maps and information about upcoming events will instead be armed with a wealth of information, their best kept secrets, unmatched knowledge and insights of the city that many not might be aware of.

The scheme aims to inspire those who experience the Know Norwich walk to share their new-found knowledge and information with visitors and locals or be encouraged to seek out more information themselves.

Richard Edwards, City Host Supervisor said, “I started Hosting just over 5 years ago and had a good working knowledge about our wonderful city to help others enjoy it as much as I do. When I reflect on how much I know now compared to then – it is phenomenal how much extra I have picked up. Almost every week someone comes up with a little nugget of information that helps me add to my store of knowledge. Because of this I was keen to be involved in the Know Norwich project that is aimed at giving, initially BID and VisitNorwich members, a snapshot of some of the stories behind the buildings and history we all know, facts that are not usually talked about, whether they be serious or funny. I’m sure participants will be enthused to do further research themselves and pass on what they have learned to others”.

Nicky Colk, Customer Services Manager, intu Chapelfield who helped trial Know Norwich said, “I recently went on the Norwich BID Know Norwich walk which I found extremely enjoyable and interesting.   The walk lasted an hour, and Richard was very knowledgeable, telling us lots of fun facts and information about all the wonderful buildings that Norwich has.  One of the fun facts he told us about was that the City Hall lions and lots of other statues could talk to you.  Just point your phone at one of the blue plaques beside one of the talking statues and you receive a call back.   What a great way to breathe life into statues around us”.

“I would thoroughly recommend others to help Norwich BID to promote the city by sending their staff on one of the Know Norwich walks, as we all discovered things that we didn’t know about our magnificent city”.

The scheme will officially be launching during Volunteers Week (1 – 7 June) and for practical reasons Know Norwich will be limited to groups of 10 people and will be available Monday to Friday, 10am – 4pm.

Since June 2013, local people with a love of Norwich have volunteered as City Hosts to meet, greet and direct visitors.  The volunteer team are from a diverse background, looking to develop their skills and experience.

The volunteers all have one thing in common, a passion for Norwich’s rich history, culture heritage and diversity.

Businesses interested in taking part in Know Norwich or anyone interested in becoming a City Hosts should contact Norwich BID, [email protected] or 01603 559570.

norwichbid.co.uk

visitnorwich.co.uk

About Norwich BID
Established in November 2012 the Norwich Business Improvement District (BID) is run for local businesses by local businesses.  It is a simple and tried and tested way of increasing economic prosperity for companies of all sizes through collaboration.  The BID covers a defined area of Norwich where businesses plan how to improve their trading environment, identifying additional projects and services that develop the city centre and trade.  Investment in the BID area aims to enhance and promote the local environment for businesses, employees, customers.

2017 saw Norwich BID’s term renewed by the business community for a further 5 years, with a wider scope and its area of operation expanded to include more areas of the city including Riverside.

The overarching vision is to; Make a clear positive impact on the vitality of our city centre and the success of the businesses within it.

About Norwich City Hosts
Norwich City Hosts are ambassadors and champions for the BID area.

Since June 2013, local people with a love of Norwich have volunteered as City Hosts to meet, greet and direct visitors.  The volunteer team are from diverse backgrounds, from retirees looking for a hobby to students looking to develop their skills and experience.

The City Hosts make a positive impact on people’s time in Norwich and provide important support during exciting events and festivals in the city.  The scheme is often used as a national exemplar for by other towns and cities.

The volunteers all have one thing in common: a passion for Norwich’s rich history, culture, heritage and diversity.