Norwich City legend Grant Holt reopens Norfolk Events Centre

The former Norwich City striker said it was a "pleasure and honour" to cut the ribbon at the refurbished and extended Norfolk Events Centre (NEC) at the Norfolk Showground.

The cavernous exhibition hall staged entertainment from musicians, aerial performers and stilt-walkers while guests explored the new facilities.

Entertainment from the Ruby Flames Entertainment group at the launch of the Norfolk Events Centre at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)

The venue, formerly known as the Norfolk Arena, now has extra space for break-out rooms, kitchens, bars, toilets, and storage after a nine-month project.

The site is owned by the Royal Norfolk Agricultural Association (RNAA), which hosts major events including the Royal Norfolk Show - but the organisation is keen to establish the showground as a premier destination for year-round events of all sizes.

RNAA managing director Mark Nicholas said the latest project had turned the huge former livestock barn from a "wonderful one-trick pony into a venue that now has much broader versatility".

Mark Nicholas, second left, managing director of the RNAA, chats to members of the Joe Ringer Band, at the launch of the Norfolk Events Centre at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)

"What we can now do more effectively is subdivide this enormous space and therefore offer more appropriate spaces depending on the number of people that wish to come in and use it," he said.

The events centre revamp is part of a strategy to maximise commercial income from the showground, to help the RNAA to achieve its charitable objectives of promoting the county's food, farming and countryside.

Mark Nicholas, managing director of the RNAA, speaking at the launch of the Norfolk Events Centre at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)

The flexible design means the venue can be reconfigured in different sizes to meet the needs of a more diverse range of events.

The extension was the second phase of a project which also included a £200,000 investment in  solar panels on the roof - capable of generating 102pc of the site's energy needs.

While speaking to guests at the launch event, Mr Nicholas thanked the project team, including site delivery manager Mike Parker, the design and build team headed by REAL Consulting, contractor TM Browne from King's Lynn and DFAL architects.

Former Norwich City striker Grant Holt cuts the ribbon to launch the expanded Norfolk Events Centre (Image: Denise Bradley)

The expanded Norfolk Events Centre at the Norfolk Showground (Image: Denise Bradley)