Historic Nottingham Castle CLOSES to visitors as trust that manages it goes into liquidation

Nottingham Castle has closed its doors to visitors as it announced today that it has gone into liquidation, just a year after a £33 million refurbishment of the historic site.

The 1,000-year-old castle, which sits atop Castle Rock in the heart of Nottingham and has long been associated with the legend of Robbin Hood, could not survive the ongoing economic crisis, according to the trust that manages it.

It comes just a year after the castle’s reopening following a £33 million regeneration project to become a ‘world class’ heritage site to rival those of Warwick and York.

But today the Nottingham Castle Trust said yes ‘saddened and greatly disappointed’ to begin the process of appointing liquidators.

The Nottingham Castle Trust said in a statement it was “saddened and deeply disappointed” to begin the process of appointing liquidators.

It described it as a ‘heartbreaking day’ and said it had made the decision to ‘conclude the Trust’s business’.

The statement continued: ‘While attendance numbers have improved, they have unfortunately remained highly unpredictable and significantly lower than forecasts, reflecting the difficulties seen across the cultural sector.

“In line with UK heritage organizations and attractions, Nottingham Castle experienced a particularly rough summer which has had a negative impact on expected funding flows.

It described it as a ‘heartbreaking day’ and said it had made the decision to ‘close the Trust’s affairs’

“As a charity operating Nottingham Castle on behalf of Nottingham City Council, the Trust’s business model and funding was agreed in 2017 and we are now in a fundamentally different social and economic environment.

“Due to the enormous challenges posed by the pandemic, the financial crisis and the three-fold rise in energy costs, this charitable model was no longer workable. it is entering its quietest trading period of the year.

“We are sticking to the vibrant vision set out for Nottingham Castle in 2017 and hope that a new operator will realize and continue this in the near future for the benefit of our fantastic city.”

From Norman beginnings to a contemporary revamp: how Nottingham Castle was transformed for the modern age

Nottingham Castle dates back to 1068 and was built under the reign of William the Conqueror.

In 1154, the castle was fortified by King Henry II with imposing stone walls. He also added new construction, including a ‘home for the king’s falcons’.

Over the years and under different rulers, the castle was further expanded, including two towers to protect the outer gate and new state apartments.

However, under the Tudors, Nottingham Castle fell into ‘disrepair and ruin’.

Henry VIII visited it only once in 1511, the last time a monarch would reside there.

Towards the end of the English Civil War, the castle was demolished in 1649. Years later, it was restored as a Renaissance-style palace.

In 1878 the castle was opened as a museum for the people of Nottingham. And in 2021 it will reopen after a £30 million update, including new facilities to ‘help spread and protect the stories of Nottingham, Robin Hood and the castle for future generations’.

The 1,000-year-old castle, which sits atop Castle Rock in the heart of Nottingham and has long been associated with the legend of Robbin Hood, was unable to ‘survive the ongoing economic crisis’, according to the trust that manages it.

Source: Nottingham Castle