As part of the continued work in repositioning the asset as a mixed-use destination, RivingtonHark are pleased to announce that Norwich’s Castle Quarter is to be the new home for an innovative new street food market following the letting of its entire food court to specialist operator Market Asset Management (MAM).

MAM will transform the space into ‘Castle Social’, a new dining and entertainment concept incorporating five new street food kitchens, a live performance space and a programme of regular events. MAM has signed a ten-year lease on the 18,500 sq ft area.

Occupying the top floor of the centre with great views of the city’s medieval Castle, and capitalising on the outside space provided by the external garden terrace, Castle Social will bring in local, independent operators to create an iconic venue and destination in its own right. As a leading market and food hall operator MAM manages successful schemes across the UK, such as the independent food hall Sheffield Plate and Doncaster’s award-winning markets.

With leisure operators such as Vue, Boom Battle Bar, Putt Putt Noodle mini golf, PureGym, Superbowl and Spy Missions open and trading – alongside a consolidation and re-anchoring of the retail offer – Castle Quarter is Norwich’s go-to location for socialising as well as shopping.

Mark Harvey, executive director and head of asset management at RivingtonHark, said: “Offering a range of local independent street food operators, alongside a bar and entertainment, Castle Social will create a destination that people will actively choose to visit and support the other fantastic activities we have in the centre. Catering for everything from a morning coffee to post-cinema cocktails, it will bring new people to the centre and is emblematic of the wider transformation taking place at Castle Quarter. We can’t wait to welcome Market Asset Management to Norwich and help its curation of a truly unique space for the city.”

Hayden Ferriby, commercial director at Market Asset Management, added: “We are so excited about opening our latest venue in such a special location. We always aim to bring something that goes beyond just food and drink, and Castle Quarter provides a fantastic opportunity to welcome the local community to something truly unique. People want more than just shops or food on their own, they want a unique destination that gives them an experience to remember, and that is our aim with Castle Social.”

RivingtonHark was advised by Jamieson Mills and Roche Chartered Surveyors, while Market Asset Management was unrepresented.