Nottingham City Council has issued a statement following the closure and potential liquidation of Nottingham Castle. The site is now being handed back to the council ahead of Nottingham Castle Trust beginning the process of appointing liquidators.
The council said it is "clearly a significant blow for the city." Nottingham Castle reopened in June last year after a three-year £33million renovation.
However, despite the trust's goal for it to open as a "world-class" heritage site, the last 18 months have been marred by a number of high-profile incidents. Former chief executive Sara Blair-Manning left in August 2021, with Ms Blair-Manning taking the trust to an employment tribunal, claiming she was unfairly dismissed.
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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."
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