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Crews tackle fire at former city nightclub

Neve Gordon-Farleighand
Rachael McMenemy
Tresha Turner A fire engine at the scene of a white painted brick building. A fire fighter stands next to the vehicle with their back towards the camera. There is a plume of smoke coming from the building.Tresha Turner
Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service was called to Oak Street in Norwich

Crews tackled a fire at a former nightclub in Norwich.

Norfolk Fire and Rescue Service was called to the building in Oak Street - believed to be the site of former nightclub The Talk - at about 19:38 BST on Thursday.

Smoke could be seen billowing from the roof and locals were advised to leave access roads clear while emergency crews tried to contain the blaze.

Residents were told at 22:15 the fire was under control and it was safe to reopen windows and doors.

The service said appliances from Sprowston, Stalham, North Earlham, Carrow, Hingham, Acle and Hethersett attended.

A fire investigation was under way.

Martin Giles/BBC Part of The Talk, a former nightclub on Oak Street in Norwich. The building is a brick building which has been painted white. There is a blue sign with cursive writing which says, The Talk, on it. There is smoke damage from a fire on the windows of the roof of the building.Martin Giles/BBC
Developers previously warned the site could be vulnerable to vandalism and anti-social behaviour

The Talk opened in 1954 and played host to the Who and Rod Stewart.

It had been running as a venue for private functions and club nights, but shut its doors in 2022. Last year a planning application was lodged to turn it into a commercial space.

Developers had warned the site was vulnerable to potential vandalism and anti-social behaviour.

"It's been a really important place," said former BBC Radio Norfolk presenter David Clayton, who was a DJ at The Talk in the 1970s.

"So many people met here, did their courting there, got married there. It did weddings in it's later years. It will have played a part in a whole lot of people's lives."

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