Simon Michlmayr, who runs the watch repair business, Michlmayr and Co Ltd, abseiled down St Michael-at-Plea church on the afternoon of April 21 to start essential repairs on its clock.

The dial on the grade I listed building, which is due to reopen as a piano and jazz bar this summer, will be treated with a rust inhibitor before being primed and repainted.

Simon Michlmayr abseiling (Image: Submitted)

St Michael-at-Plea church (Image: Submitted)

The clock hands will be removed and re-gilded, and the numerals and lettering will also be re-gilded using 24-carat gold leaf.

The restoration of the clock on the Redwell Street site is being led by the Norwich Historic Churches Trust.

They are working in partnership with the building’s tenant organisation, the Church Piano Bar, run by John Taylor.

Mr Taylor said: "This restoration marks an important milestone as we look ahead to opening later this summer.

The clock dial (Image: Submitted)

The clock mechanism (Image: Submitted)

"It’s exciting to see new life being brought back into St Michael-at-Plea and the clock is such a cherished part of the building’s presence in the city.

"We’re proud to be part of its next chapter, bringing music, atmosphere and energy back into this remarkable historic space.”

John Taylor's plans to convert the site into a piano and jazz bar, which he submitted to Norwich City Council more than a year ago, were given the green light earlier this month.

The building was declared redundant in 1969 and closed for worship in 1971.

Since then, it has hosted a range of uses, including an antiques market and a bookshop.

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