The South Asia Collection is housed in a restored Victorian roller skating rink in the centre of Norwich, only a hundred metres from the market place. The building is a Grade II listed architectural gem, with a dramatic arched wooden roof.
The Old Skating Rink was first opened on the 19th September 1876, with an attendance of around one thousand potential skaters. Despite its initial popularity, the skating rink fell into financial difficulty and in September 1877 the building was converted to a vaudeville theatre. In 1880 it was fitted out to sell American tinned meat, but never opened for business. The Salvation Army used the rink as their first Citadel in Norwich from 1882. Then, in 1898, the building became a store and warehouse for local builder’s merchants, Lacey & Lincoln.
In 1993 Philip and Jeannie Millward, the founders of The South Asia Collection, purchased the building and embarked on a major refurbishment. Today, exhibition displays and large carved architectural pieces from South Asia can be seen beside the galleries where admiring Victorians once looked out across the skaters beneath the impressive arched roof.
There is a small display at the museum on the history of the building, including a description of the opening night, the vaudeville acts who once performed here, and cryptic comments on the quality of the entertainment! We have also recently produced a small booklet on the history of the building, which is available to purchase at the museum shop.
