The Forum and Norwich Central Library through the years

Bethel Street nowadays is home to The Forum and Millenium Library but was once where you would find the Norwich Central Library before a blaze in 1994 saw it destroyed.

Here we take a look at both libraries through the ages with pictures from our archives.

The Norwich Central Library being built sometime in the early 1960s (Image: Newsquest)

Norwich Central Library in Bethel Street shortly after it was opened, December 1962 (Image: Newsquest)

The Queen Mother walks by a gathered crowd during her trip to officially open the Norwich Central Library, January 21, 1963 (Image: Newsquest)

The Queen Mother during her visit to the then-new Norwich Central Library, 1963 (Image: Newsquest)

Lots of people visited the new library, 1963 (Image: Newsquest)

An overall view of the Norwich Central Lending Library, 1963 (Image: Newsquest)

Ben Pearson, library inspector, sets out to find the cause of the blaze, 26 August 1994 (Image: Newsquest)

Volumes salvaged from the records section of Norwich Central Library wait their turn for the Harwell drying treatment, Sep 1994 (Image: Newsquest)

Excavations for The Forum in Norwich, 1999 (Image: Newsquest)

Construction of the new Forum under way in 2000 (Image: Newsquest)

The Forum near completion, 2001 (Image: Newsquest)