CASTLE ROCKED
£33M TOURIST ATTRACTION CLOSES – WITH OPERATOR GOING INTO LIQUIDATION
NOTTINGHAM Castle has shut its gates in what the city council has called “a significant blow for the city”.
The council has issued a statement following the closure of the attraction, which reopened last June after a £33m restoration.
The site is now being handed back to the council, with Nottingham Castle Trust – which has been operating the site – beginning the process of appointing liquidators.
The three-year transformation of the castle was supposed to have made it a “world-class” heritage site.
However, the last 18 months have been marred by a number of incidents as well as many negative reviews of the attraction.
Former chief executive Sara Blair-manning left in August 2021 and took the trust to an employment tribunal, claiming she was unfairly dismissed.
A letter of no confidence was also sent to the trust board. There were also allegations of hate incidents within the castle grounds.
Nottingham City Council’s portfolio holder for leisure, culture and planning, Councillor Pavlos Kotsonis, said: “It is a matter of huge disappointment that Nottingham Castle Trust, which has been responsible for operating Nottingham Castle, has informed us that in light of its trading performance it is in the process of appointing liquidators and closing the site, which it will be handing back to the council.
“This is clearly a significant blow for the city and its visitor economy.
“The council’s immediate priority is to work with the appointed liquidators to support those staff at the castle who have been affected by this sad news, and to safeguard the site and its collections while it is not operational.
“We appreciate the significant efforts that the employees of the trust have put into the site and understand how devastated they must be by this news.
“We will reopen the castle as soon as possible. Once we have a clearer picture from the liquidators, we will explore all available options together with our key partners the National Lottery Heritage Fund, Arts Council England and others to develop a fresh business model.
“There is a real commitment from all parties to see this important cultural asset fulfil its full potential for the city and the wider region as a successful visitor attraction, playing a key part in our wider plans to bring investment, jobs, visitors and growth to Nottingham and its residents.”