Norwich City Council had so far remained tight-lipped on why work to flatten the derelict 1960s shopping centre was taking longer than planned.

But now the authority has disclosed that the firm carrying out the work has a built-in financial reward for locating asbestos as buildings are knocked down, and it is continuing to remove the hazard materials which remain.

The work was meant to be finished by the end of Spring (Image: Denise Bradley)

Separately, trespassers repeatedly breaking into the abandoned complex have also forced work to slow.

Lucy Galvin, the new Green Party leader of the council, explained how urban explorers had turned sneaking into the site into something of a "sport".

The demolition, which began in November 2025, was originally planned to finish by the start of the summer.

However, seven months in and work appears to have slowed for several weeks now.

While the multi-storey car park, cinema and shops have been reduced to rubble, Sovereign House and buildings on Pitt Street and Gildengate remain standing.

The issue of asbestos has hung over the project from the start.

In March, passers-by reported a metallic taste and irritated eyes after a cloud of dust engulfed Magdalen Street following demolition of the multi-storey car park.

At the time, many raised fears the smog contained asbestos, but the council played down concerns saying all of........

© Norwich Evening News