Mall health centre site revealed

The new walk-in clinic will open later this year in Norwich's Castle Mall

A new £2m health centre could be set up in premises now occupied by a restaurant in a shopping mall in the centre of Norwich.

A "change of use" planning application has been submitted to Norwich City Council by the owners of Castle Mall.

This outlines proposals for a unit on Level 4 of the Mall near the Timber Hill entrance.

The premises are currently occupied by Auberge restaurant whose owners said they wanted to release the property.

A spokeswoman for NHS Norfolk said: "The unit is immediately beside street-level access from Timber Hill to ensure quick access for ambulances and convenient access for patients not using cars.

"The street level entrance offers excellent disabled access and the unit is also near car parks.

Dr John Battersby, from NHS Norfolk, said: "A decision on the application is expected to be taken within the next eight to 10 weeks and the new centre could open as soon as late spring or early summer 2009."

The centre will open up to 14 hours per day, 365 days-a-year and patients will have one hour of free parking using a token system.

The spokeswoman said: "The Mall also offers opportunities for themed health promotion days and events.

"These could include flu and childhood immunisation campaigns, sexual health and healthy lifestyle messages with easy access to healthcare professionals on site for further support, services or advice."

Norwich Practices, a collective of 15 GP surgeries in the city Norwich, will staff the new health centre.