What do you do when a major city development project risks leaving local traders in limbo? You think outside the box—literally.
In a creative twist that’s becoming more common in urban regeneration circles, Norwich is embracing shipping containers as the answer. Plans have been submitted for St Saviours Yard, an 80-unit container park proposed for the St Magdalen Street car park. Designed to provide a temporary hub for traders, creatives and micro-businesses, the project would inject energy into the city during the redevelopment of Anglia Square.
A Stylish Stopgap with Substance
The initiative is led by Meanwhile Creative—a company with a proven track record of transforming empty urban spaces into lively, mixed-use environments. Their plan for Norwich is more than a stopgap: it’s a statement of intent. If approved, St Saviours Yard will house 80 container units offering affordable, flexible spaces for small businesses, independent traders, freelancers, and artists.
It’s a clever use of what’s traditionally seen as an interim problem. By turning disused land into a cultural and commercial hotspot, the city avoids stagnation while major redevelopment takes place.
Retail, Culture and a Bit of Grit
Councillor Carli Harper, cabinet member for major projects, is optimistic about the potential. “We hope St Saviours Yard will become a go-to shopping destination and business hub,” she says, “while we crack on and redevelop Anglia Square.”
The council hopes former Anglia Square traders will relocate to the park, creating continuity and opportunity. But they also envision new blood—entrepreneurs, food vendors, and creatives—transforming the site into something akin to what we’ve seen in Shoreditch’s Boxpark or Manchester’s Hatch.
Expect street food. Expect pop-up retail. Expect art, music, maybe even a DJ on Saturday afternoons. In short, it’s not just a place to do business—it’s a destination.
The Rise of the Shipping Container Revolution
This isn’t just a Norwich thing. Around the world, shipping containers have evolved from humble freight units into symbols of sustainable, modular innovation. They’re strong, stackable, and easy to modify. In urban areas, they offer a quicker and more cost-effective alternative to traditional builds.
Projects like this one are appealing for their adaptability, their eco-credentials (repurposing instead of demolishing and building), and the visual identity they lend to a neighbourhood. Let’s face it: a well-designed container park just looks cool.
What Happens Next?
The planning application is now under review and open to public comment via the Norwich City Council’s planning portal. If green-lit, construction could begin quickly, with containers often allowing for rapid setup.
“We hope St Saviours Yard will become a go-to shopping destination and business hub, while we crack on and redevelop Anglia Square.”
— Councillor Carli Harper, Norwich City Council
And what about the long-term? While St Saviours Yard is intended as a temporary measure, its legacy could be longer-lasting. With the right energy and community backing, these kinds of pop-up hubs often become permanent fixtures—or at least long-term stepping stones in the urban landscape.
