Businesses around Nottingham Castle have spoken out on the impact of its "surprise" closure, one month after the liquidation of the trust running the site was confirmed. With tourists travelling from far and wide to get a look at the landmark; pubs, art galleries and other establishments just outside of its walls often welcome visitors.
But, at least for now, that boost is over. On November 21 Nottingham Castle closed to visitors as the trust responsible for the site announced it was preparing to enter liquidation. Liquidators have now been formally appointed following the demise of the castle almost 18 months after it had reopened, following a much-heralded £33m revamp which took three years to complete.
Tim Bateson and Chris Pole, from Interpath Advisory, were formally appointed as joint liquidators to the Trust on November 29. The Trust, an independent and not-for-profit charitable trust, managed and operated Nottingham Castle on behalf of Nottingham City Council, the authority now back in control of the landmark site.
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The majority of the staff of the Trust were made redundant in advance of the appointment of the liquidators, and all remaining staff were made redundant with effect from Wednesday (November 30).
Keri Chapman, Deputy manager of Fothergills, a pub opposite the castle, said: "Because it's been the Christmas period we've not felt it much yet. The schools are also closed and everyone is off for the holidays so we've not noticed a drop-off.
"We think after this as we go into the new year businesses might suffer more. We get quite a lot of tourists and people from abroad who came to see the castle.
"We had a Canadian come in the day it happened and they were pretty disappointed, like I'm sure a lot of people were. It was a shock the day it happened."
Alan Gardner, a director for Nottingham Society of Artists, an organisation established in 1934, said: "We obviously had a number of people coming up the road here. They came to see the castle and look at the Robin Hood statue.
"Of course, you can still get your picture taken at the statue but it isn't the same and it isn't the same number of people coming anymore. They come and they are disappointed to see the castle closed.
"I've seen a lot of people come by and wonder what is happening. The closure has of course affected a lot of businesses but us in particular.
"We run two-week exhibitions five times a year and we used to run them whenever the castle had its own events. Some of the exhibitions are charity-based.
"We had 800 people through the door on light nights - these are when the castle had their events, so it brought in a lot of people. We have more exhibitions than any other artistic business in Nottingham.
"Since the castle closed our footfall has halved. Generally, we expected to get around 50 people a day in here; today we've had about half a dozen.
"I think there are certain parts that could reopen, like the cafe, just so more people could come by. We've sort of been in orbit since the closure.
"It's very disappointing the way it all collapsed - is there a plan now? But we're well established and we'll sustain ourselves."
Nottinghamshire residents have also shared their thoughts on the closure of the castle.
41-year-old Tim Boyland, who lives in West Bridgford, said: "It was a shame. I like walking past it and seeing people going in and out.
"It was quite an exciting time when it did open, I think there was a lot of anticipation surrounding it. I think for tourists, that's got to be one of the main tourists attractions in Nottingham when it did open.
"So it's sad in that respect and obviously for businesses too. I'm sure they did well when the castle opened and it was probably something they were excited about.
"It took a lot of people by surprise when the closure was announced definitely."
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