Castle was nearly toppled by Covid but lifeline will help keep it going
TUTBURY Castle has received a lifesaving boost of more than £58,000 to save it from permanent closure.
The castle, which dates back more than 900 years, has been handed part of a £1.57 billion Culture Recovery Fund to help it through the coronavirus pandemic after it was forced to close for months.
The cash will help restart vital reconstruction work and maintenance on heritage sites, keeping venues open and supporting those working in the sector.
Tutbury Castle Trading Ltd has been awarded a grant of £58,500 which covers staff salaries, and essential running costs until the end of March 2021.
This will enable the castle to continue to remain open, offering a range of Covid-secure events and activities to schools and general visitors throughout the winter, as well as to develop plans for re-opening on a larger scale next year, as and when government restrictions permit.
This vital funding is from the Culture Recovery Fund for Heritage and the Heritage Stimulus Fund – funded by Government and administered at arm’s length by Historic England and the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
Gareth Williams, director of Tutbury Castle, said: “Tutbury Castle is an important historic site, and has been open to visitors since 1847.
“Our team here work hard to make the castle accessible to visitors, and the situation this year has meant that we were completely closed for months, and have had only limited opening since the summer, which has generated only a fraction of the income needed to run a site like this.
“I would like to thank all the visitors who have made the effort to come to us this year, and the dedicated staff and volunteers who have made this possible, but this could not have continued without further government assistance.
“We are extremely grateful to the Culture Recovery Fund for this support, which enables us to remain open for the next few months, and we hope that by the end of that period the wider situation will have improved.”
From October 24, the castle grounds will remain open at weekends over the winter, and pre-booked meals will also be available in the Great Hall subject to
further government restrictions.
The castle will continue to offer a programme of historically themed events. These include a Vikingthemed daytime bonfire event for families on the weekend of November 7 and 8, as well as the ever-popular talks by castle curator Lesley Smith, portraying a variety of historical characters.
The castle will also continue to offer talks for schools, whether in person or virtually.