As a friary in 1258, the
Penitential Friars, under the condition that they would care for the last remaining friar. They remodelled the existing buildings, inserting brick
vaulted ceilings to support the upper floors. In 1788, a new orchestra was introduced to the city, leading to the use of the hall as a concert hall and theatre. From 1819, major public meetings began to take place in St Andrew's Hall. The
Norwich Triennial Festival, the third oldest in the country, began here in 1824. In January 1849, Swedish opera singer
Jenny Lind performed in St Andrew's Hall, with the intention "to raise money for the poor in the city", funding the establishment of the
Jenny Lind Children's Hospital five years later. Restorations began in 1861 under J. S. Benest; he resurfaced the west end of the cloisters, and added buildings. In 1863, city surveyor T. D. Barry removed the kitchens at the west end of the building, adding three windows. He also moved the doorway eastward, altered the nave roof, and built an arch at the east end of the nave. In 1970, the city restored the cloisters, crypt, and Becket's Chapel, also excavating the latter.
Chad Smith and
Glenn Hughes played together at the venue in 2005. In 2017, the ensign of
Les Généreux went on temporary display in the hall again. By February 2025, the cost of the repairs had increased to £7.8 million after a survey which found that plastic sheeting that had been installed approximately 80 to 100 years prior had caused the buildup of moisture in the roof's timber structure. Following the closure, bidding opened for an organisation to take over the operation of the venue for five years; both
Norwich Theatre and
Norwich Arts Centre placed bids and the latter was successful. However, Norwich Theatre made a legal challenge against the Council's procurement process, causing the Council to withdraw the offer of a contract from the Arts Centre. In October 2025,
Norwich City Council said The Halls would return to "council operations as soon as possible". ==References==