A 14-month-long exhibition to showcase a full-size, fossilised T-Rex specimen could be coming to Wollaton Hall.
Nottingham City Council is currently seeking approval to bring the unique exhibition to Wollaton as part of a contract for hire from the USA.
If approved, the dino display would run from July 2021 until August 2022 and visitors will be charged an admission fee to the Hall during this time.
It is hoped the arrival of a T Rex would build on the "tremendous economic benefit" that came after the Dinosaurs of China exhibit at the Hall in 2017.
In details outlined by the council, it says the T Rex will be full size and fill the Willoughby Room of Wollaton Hall at four metres tall and 11 metres in length.
There will also be interactive elements to the exhibition from the University of Nottingham to create an immersive experience, as well as 'hands-on' replicas of the T Rex skeleton to allow visitors to actually handle bones dating back millions of years.
In a report from the council, it states: "T Rex specimens are easily the most popular of dinosaurs in the public imagination. They are found only on the North American continent and are seldom displayed outside of the USA and Canada for any length of time.
"There is currently no T Rex on display anywhere in the United Kingdom. The arrival of the specimen will therefore be of immense interest for the citizens of Nottingham and will play a key role in revitalising the City's tourism economy.
"Combined with the re-opening of Nottingham Castle and the proposed city-wide cultural activity planned, it will play a central role in the cultural tourism offer."
The council needs to approve £180,000 from the Arts Council England (ACE) Culture Recovery Grant in order to cover all the upfront costs of the exhibition, meaning there would then be no financial risk to the authority.
It is expected to bring in 300,000 visitors and bring in nearly £200,000 of income to the museum service.
By comparison Dinosaurs of China, had more than 100,000 visitors over a four-month period.
In the event of a second wave of the coronavirus pandemic, provision within the contract will allow the exhibition to be put on hold or terminated without penalty.
Ticket prices are set to be kept at 'a nominal fee' as well as the council offering six days where the fee is 'pay what you can' to allow more residents to engage with the dinosaur.
There will also be a range of special merchandise on offer including a replica T Rex tooth.
To maintain the legacy of the exhibit, while the original fossilised bones of the T Rex are on display, a replica set will be cast and placed into the museum's permanent collection.
