Major plan for medieval building

Major work could take place on the St Andrew's and Blackfriars Halls

A major refurbishment of an historic building in Norwich could have benefits worth tens of millions of pounds, it has been claimed.

The Heritage Economic and Regeneration Trust wants to raise £17.2m to improve the St Andrew's and Blackfriars Halls.

The trust said if the complex was capable of staging large performances and conferences it could benefit the local economy by up to £170m.

Norwich City councillors will look at the plans at a meeting at 1730 BST.

A report to the council recommended the building should be upgraded to become a concert hall and conference facility with room for up to 900 people.

Officers have recommended that councillors should back a feasibility study into the project.

'Range of events'

They warned that if work did not take place on the 16th Century building it could close.

The trust's chief executive Michael Loveday said: "It's not used a lot of the time. We're really not getting the kind of range of events here that we could do.

"Independent economic studies have suggested that the halls scheme could create a positive benefit of £170m for the local economy."

Mr Loveday said he hoped the project would be funded by grants from bodies like The Heritage Lottery Fund and the East of England Development Agency.

He added that the improvements would see St Andrew's Hall fitted with better sound proofing.

Following complaints from residents about noise, the hall has not been able to stage live music events after 2230 BST since 2006.