Dec '25

5 December 2025

Hello,

This is it, the last newsletter of the year & what a year it’s been. 2025 marked my 5th year of posting this newsletter every month, that’s half a decade of flying the flag for our local indies. Despite publishing nozza news for 5 years, it feels like i’m only just getting started with this project, slowly finding my feet with where I’d like to take nozza news next and learning from previous mistakes. The next year for nozza news will hopefully be, dare I say it, transformational, I’m going to be launching a few new things, one of which I tell you all about later in this very newsletter. Thank you for all your support throughout the years, nozza news is nothing without its readers. I always take a little break from writing the newsletter over the winter, so I’ll be back in your emails on 30 Jan - see you there.

As always pass this on to your pals, share amongst your community and of course support our locals. (& please give this a little love on the like button.)

Best, Al x

Embers Choir, Winter Concert | 12 Dec 7pm
What a great way to kick off the festive season, local traditional folk community choir Embers are hosting their annual winter concert. Join them at St Georges Church on Colegate for an evening of festive songs from the Balkans, Georgia, Corsica and the British Isles. Entry is by donation with all proceeds going to charity.

Paula Rego, Visions of English Literature | 18 Oct - 18 January
Norwich Castle’s new exhibition showcases work from Paula Rego, one of the greatest storytellers and printmakers of our time. The exhibition brings together three of her most ambitious series created across a decade of her life. (PS: Don’t forget, the castle offer £2.50 entry for the last hour of opening)

St Augustines, Late Night Christmas Shopping | 6 Dec, 4-8pm
The businesses on St Augustines are hosting an evening of Christmas shopping for you this Saturday, shop in their stores, sit down to eat at Pips, have a drink at the Catherine Wheel and then finish with carols and cocoa at the church. Classic.

St Benedicts Winter Trail | 6 Dec
Another street coming together to celebrate the festive season, we love to see it. Head down to St Benedicts this Saturday and treat yourself to a Winter Zine Fayre at the Holloway, a festive pottery sale at Helgate and finish up at the Clutter City Winter Market. Sounds perfect.

Vinyl in the Dark, Wolf Alice | 11 Dec 7:30pm
Fancy some dancing in the dark? I have you covered. The Bicycle Shop are hosting their usual mix of vinyl and darkness, in one of my favourite names for a bar, their Handle Bar. This months instalment is Wolf Alice, tickets are precisely £6.13 and there’s only a few left, nab some in the link above.

Christmas at Holkham | Regularly until 30 Dec
Ok, so if you’d like to get really festive Holkham Hall are hosting a whole season of events, from Carols in the Courtyard on the 11 Dec, to their Christmas Market from 12 - 14 Dec alongside self-led or guided tours of the hall throughout the month. All info in the link above.

Festive Frolic Pop-up Shoppe | 11 - 13 Dec
Local artists Mandy Doubt and Petra Boase are hosting a Festive Frolic Pop-up Shoppe for three weekends this month. They’re open Thursdays through to Saturdays with their last opening dates being 11 - 13 December. You can find them in the Museum of Norwich Corner Shoppe on Bridewell Alley.

This is it, the big secret. The Neighbourhood, launching 30 Jan

So, The Neighbourhood will be our community grant initiative. It will pledge 30% of it’s income to regular grants for the local community. You scratch our back and we’ll support local movers and makers.

I’ve done the maths and we need to reach 50 paid members of The Neighbourhood to offer our first grant. It really will be a community effort. The membership will be £3.50 a month with the remaining funds going towards the running costs of nozza news, I’m not pocketing anything don’t you worry. This just helps me keep nozza news free forever.

Last Call for Orders | Nozza News
I’m terrible at this but, just dropping in to let you know that I will be closing the shop for orders next Friday 12 December. I’m running low on most things within the shop, including the ‘Hotter Than Colemans’ print, our Sovereign House print and copies of NOSH, our community cook book.

Birch | Opening
A listening lounge with cocktails and Rotisserie will be opening soon. You can find it in Woburn Court on Guildhall Hill. There’s not too much info at the moment but keep an eye on their socials for all updates.

Book Hive | Worlds Best Book Mark
This is one of the ideas you kick yourself for not thinking of, but Book Hive have teamed up with 6 local businesses to offer the worlds best book mark full with discounts and vouchers redeemable in Jan/Feb of next year. In true Book Hive style there’s a mad announcement reel, go have a watch.

Donations Wanted | Norwich City of Sanctuary
Norwich Arts Centre have teamed up with Norwich City of Sanctuary, New Routes and City College to help them appeal for footwear and coats. All donations will be given to a local refugee charity, New Routes Integration. Donations can be made at NAC on Saturday 6 Dec between 10-3pm.

Seeds of Hate and Hope | Opening
As part of a bigger current season the SCVA have launched a new exhibition named Seeds of Hate and Hope. It presents personal artistic responses to global mass atrocities. A tough but important theme, the exhibition is running from 28 Nov - 17 May

Soyokaze | Ramen Pop Up
They’re back, the beloved Soyokaze are hosting pop-up ramen nights every Friday and Saturday throughout December. They’ve just launched the menu and of course, it looks delicious.

Christophes Crepes | Christmas Specials
Just a public service announcement to let you know that Christophe Crepes have launched their Christmas Specials. Pop in during December to treat yourself to their Mince Pie Crepe along with their ‘Suzette’ Crepe.

I Used to Rave But Now I Roast | 1 Feb 2026
Dicks really are bringing the heat to Norwich recently. They’ve teamed up with Professor Green and Michelin starred chef Liam Nichols to bring you an extraordinary dining event. Tickets are on sale now if you’d like to bag yourself a good night out.

Whyte Rushen Chef Pop Up | 7 Dec
Another incredible foodie event happening right here in nozza. Acclaimed London chef Whyte Rushen (previously Brat, Scully & Kerridge’s) is taking his restaurant on tour and settling at Pips for the day. The menu is live and bookings are required. All info in the link above.

Luna Flux | Jeweller
Local jewellery brand Luna Flux have just launched a beautiful new Mythology collection, it’s a celebration of earthly elements that shaped ancient artefacts. Each piece of jewellery depicts it’s very own piece of history. Really beautiful.

Jenni Murphy | Artist
I recently met Jenni at a local art fair, she creates artworks that feature real people and their stories. Kind of genius really. Have a gander at her work in the link above.