The body managing one of the region’s biggest tourist attractions has gone into liquidation less than 18 months after a £30 million restoration project.
The Nottingham Castle Trust has called in Tim Bateson and Chris Pole of Interpath Advisory to formally wind up its affairs.
The tourist attraction has faced issues since reopening in the summer of 2021 including a tribunal for unfair dismissal brought by a former chief executive.
Visitors arrived at the attraction today to find the gates locked while a message posted on the website said: “We are saddened to announce that Nottingham Castle Trust has begun the process of appointing liquidators and the Castle grounds and exhibitions will remain closed to all visitors until further notice.
“Anyone with an annual pass or pre-booked tickets will need to contact Interpath Advisory at nottinghamcastlestrust@interpathadvisory.com.
“Stall holders for the Nottingham Castle Christmas market and other suppliers will be contacted directly.
“We would like to thank all the castle’s supporters, including the thousands of visitors that have been through our gates.
“Finally, a huge thank you to staff and volunteers who made Nottingham Castle such an amazing place to visit.”
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Prior to its 2021 reopening the castle underwent a three-year period of redevelopment and conservation, supported by £7 million from the D2N2 LEP – £5 million from the Local Growth Fund and £2 million from Enterprise Zone business rates income. It also received backing from National Heritage Lottery Fund, Nottingham City Council and Arts Council England, plus fundraising by the trust itself.
Nottingham City Council portfolio holder for leisure, culture and planning, Coun Pavlos Kotsonis, said the trust had told them the decision to call in liquidators was made “in light of its trading performance”, and the site would be handed back to the council.
He said: “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 re-open 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.”