Some people feel the £998,000 - which the council has coughed up just on initial design work for plans to convert some of the space into a hotel complex or flats - could be better spent on other services.

Building of City Hall was completed in 1938 (Image: Newsquest) Paula Taylor, who runs the Cheeseman stall at Norwich Market, said: "It's an obscene amount of money and where is it coming from?

"I get they are trying to optimise the building but that is such a lot of money and if they want people to come into the city, surely there has to be the public facilities in place to support that."

Anna Wakefield, 47, who agreed with Paula, added there are other services in the city in need of a cash injection.

Anna Wakefield, left and Paula Taylor, right (Image: Newsquest) "Like more public toilets and cheaper parking," she said.

"The people of Norwich expect to see the profits. It's about accountability and transparency."

Some people said they hope the money........

© Norwich Evening News