27 May 2014
MEDIA RELEASE: Under strict embargo for 00:01 Tuesday 27th May 2014
Experience Nottinghamshire – the Destination Management Organisation responsible for driving leisure and business visitors to the county – is celebrating the fact that Nottingham Castle is to be given a long-awaited redevelopment to transform it into a major heritage attraction after £12.9 million of earmarked funding* has been endorsed by the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) today.
Jennifer Spencer, Chief Executive, Experience Nottinghamshire, said: “Experience Nottinghamshire has wholeheartedly supported Nottingham City Council's bid for Heritage Lottery Funding to transform Nottingham into a world class heritage attraction and it is tremendous news that the bid has been successful.
“Not only will the funding provide Nottingham Castle with the opportunity to greatly enhance its tourism offer, it will also enable us to grow tourism to the region in general. Such growth is extremely important to the local visitor economy as tourism supports tens of thousands of local jobs.”
Added Keith Laird, Head of Business Development, Experience Nottinghamshire: “We welcome this opportunity to transform Nottingham Castle into a world class visitor attraction as it will provide Nottingham with a heritage attraction which Nottingham can be proud of. This level of investment is excellent news for the city. Heritage tourism is extremely important to the local economy and is just one of the aspects we have been focusing on in our 'In Notts We Love' campaign', which encourages visitors to have an overnight stay in the region.”
The project to transform the Castle contains three main themes:-
- Nottingham Castle – 1000 years of history
The changes being proposed will help bring to life the dramatic and amazing history of Nottingham Castle, from Norman fortress to Ducal Palace, exploring the amazing cave system and helping people to understand the history of Nottingham, as well as Britain, in the context of the Castle.
- Robin and the Rebels – Protest, Rebellion and the Rise of Democracy
This new interactive and participative gallery will enlist Robin Hood to lead visitors through the history of Nottingham and its Castle, exploring national and international issues around protest, rebellion and democracy, and bringing to life the story of Nottingham and its Castle in a new exciting, fun way that will appeal to everyone.
- Creative City
The improvements to the current museum will enhance understanding of the Museum's extensive and prestigious heritage and art collections.
Work will now take place to develop the plans in detail before a final application* for the remaining £12.4million is submitted to HLF in Autumn 2015.
* HLF's Heritage Grants (HG) applications are assessed in two rounds. A first-round pass is given when HLF has endorsed outline proposals and earmarked funding. A first-round pass may also include an immediate award to fund the development of the project. Detailed proposals are then considered by HLF at second-round and as long as plans have progressed satisfactorily and according to the original proposal, an award for the project is confirmed.
-Ends-
For more press information please contact:
Linda Parker, PR Manager
linda.parker@experiencenottinghamshire.com / Tel: 0115 962 8304
Carly Jones, PR Assistant
carly.jones@experiencenottinghamshire.com / Tel: 0115 962 8305
About Experience Nottinghamshire
- Experience Nottinghamshire is the destination management organisation responsible for driving leisure and business visitors to the county. It also manages the city's gold award-winning tourism centre.
- Tourism in Nottinghamshire is estimated to be worth around £1.44 billion to the local economy and supports 51,500 jobs.
- Experience Nottinghamshire is led and funded by the private sector with support from Nottingham City Council and Nottinghamshire County Council. It also works in partnership with VisitEngland and VisitBritain.
