Businesses in the shadow of Nottingham Castle have expressed hope its second reopening will finally see the landmark realise its tourism potential. Nottingham's official Robin Hood led pupils from the Edna G Olds Academy in Lenton through the gates of the castle on Monday, June 26 as people queued to enter the historic site for the first time since November.
The site had been run by Nottingham City Council from 1878 up until 2018, when it closed for a £31 million transformation. Control was then handed over to the Nottingham Castle Trust in May 2019, with the venue reopening in the summer of 2021.
But despite lofty aims the trust went into liquidation last November amid rising costs and disappointing visitor figures, with the council then deciding to take on the site again. As visitors trickled into the historic site on Tuesday, June 27, bosses at local businesses explained they felt cautiously optimistic about the future of the castle, and how it could impact trade in the area.
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Jolie Nguyen, manager of Viet 80s on Friar Lane, hoped the castle would eventually bring the number of tourists promised after its pricey ramp. "It will help with the castle being open again. The street outside will hopefully be a lot busier than when it was closed," Ms Nguyen said.
"Families and tourists walk past and then come back if they've seen our restaurant and want to try it. For a long time we have not had these tourists - I hope it stays open to bring people in."
The 18 month period after the 2021 reopening was marred by controversy, from criticism over how the trust handled an alleged racist incident to residents disapproving of ticket prices. Despite the trust's goal for it to be a 'world-class' heritage site, the attraction failed to attract the predicted number of visitors, making increased running costs unsustainable and resulting in its November 2022 closure.
The trust set itself a target of 300,000 visitors a year following the re-opening, but after the first eight months, the castle had only welcomed 100,000. Nottingham City Council, which now operates the landmark directly, is aiming for 200,000 visitors each year.
Steven Chapman, manager of The Specialty coffee shop on Friar Lane, was certain the castle would help, but unsure on the extent of the boost. "It's never been open when I've been here, so it will be interesting to see what difference it makes," Mr Chapman said.
"It depends on how many tourists come here, and relies on not just the castle itself but also the council. I think in a couple of months we will be able to see if it is helping significantly - it can only be a good thing but to what degree it will boost business I'm not sure."
Josh White, the general manager of The Castle Pub on Castle Road, said he had never visited the castle as it had been closed since he had been at the venue, but predicted the area would benefit now it had opened again. "We are expecting things to pick up and have an increase in the daytime and especially over the summer," Mr White said.
"It just gets people into the area, which simply means they're more likely to come in here. Hopefully the lower prices will make it more popular."
The grounds of the Castle were open for several screening events in May, including for the King's Coronation and Eurovision, but Monday (June 26) marked the first time people were able to enter the ducal palace itself. The East Midlands Chamber, which supports local business and organisations, emphasised the importance of the castle now remaining open.
Chief executive Scott Knowles said: “As one of the city’s main tourist attractions, a thriving Nottingham Castle is integral to the city’s economic success. After the deep disappointment of its closure last year during an already challenging time for a city centre also grappling with issues such as the future of the Broad Marsh area and former Debenhams store, its reopening will be hugely welcomed by businesses.
“Not only does it support bars, restaurants and shops in the immediate vicinity whose trade is to some extent dependent on the castle, but others will benefit from the people it will bring into the city centre – whether they are Nottingham residents or visitors. It’s now vital we ensure the attraction is commercially viable and we don’t end up in another similar situation where it closes for more than half a year.
“Many businesses across the city will have their own views on this and it’s vitally important they are included in discussions regarding the castle’s long-term future, giving them a platform to contribute ideas on the various ways in which it can regularly attract different groups of people.”
