Hoveton Granary Plaza and Riverside Centre in the 1980s

Picture courtesy of Angus Reid. Further information garnered from the wonderful Hoveton and Wroxham pictures and memories facebook page.

The square by the bridge has a very long and chequered history. Forty years ago the land belonged to the Oakey brothers who ran a popular catering and amusements business adjoining the site, now Grey's building. The 1980s saw the tail end of hire boating bonanza on the rivers. Although the staithe was vibrant and even charming to a degree in previous times, it had become untidy and over commercialised. 

The eastern side is flanked by the angular golden brick and concrete Riverside Centre and Hotel Wroxham. Previously a boat yard and parking area, the development was made possible by revolutionary new steel piling technology which replaced old style timber foundations.

Moorings on the quays were established permanent and temporary berths for boats of all descriptions. Pictured on the hotel side of the dyke is a smart varnished motor cruiser ~ possibly a Windboats of Wroxham, kept here at the time by Alan and Guy. Coincidently the cabin motor boat on the staithe side is the shapely remodelled yacht NORA, the work of Ernest L Woods of Horning, who also rebuilt Heather.

A row of timber buildings dating from the 1920s lined the western side of the staithe facing the High Street including Chamberlins Newsagents at the village end and Keith's cafe (left) overlooking the Bure. Curiously, to the side of this you can see the thatched roof of the Lions Club wishing well that collected funds for good causes for several years. 

What is now largely forgotten is the market that operated here into the 1990s giving extra choice and attraction to local people and visitors. 

Chris