Protest, Rebellion and the Rise of Democracy Artelia Appointed by Nottingham Castle

Artelia has been appointed by Nottingham Castle in the role of Project Manager to manage and deliver an amazing scheme that will bring to life its 1,000 amazing years history. The project to transform the Castle contains three main themes:

1. 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 cave system and helping people to understand the history of Nottingham, as well as Britain, in the context of the Castle.

2. 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.

3. 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.

The Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) has endorsed Nottingham’s ambitious £12.9 million funding bid. The overall cost of the project is estimated at £24 million. It is proposed that this will be sourced from a number of bodies, including the HLF.

The £12.9 million earmarked funding* from the HLF includes a development grant of £600,000 to take forward the plans to redevelop Nottingham Castle Museum & Art Gallery as a major heritage attraction offering fun and excitement for all the family and becoming a nationally significant centre for learning about protest and rebellion.

Ian Bailey, Director of Artelia says:

“Artelia is delighted to have been appointed to manage this fascinating project. It is a story that has captivated generations and is best told from it original place. Beyond this landmark project there is the additional benefit to the local community in terms of regeneration and job creation and it is a privilege to be part of that.”

Ted Cantle, Chair of the Nottingham Castle Trust says:

“This is an opportunity to put the Castle back where it belongs – at the Centre of the City – and to make it a world class attraction. The proposals to create a ‘Robin and the Rebels’ history gallery together with the opening up of the medieval site and caves, will attract people from all over the world and boost jobs and the local economy”.

Notes to Editors:

Nottingham Castle plans include:

• Improved access and interpretation of the site’s caves including two new interpretation exhibitions on site
• Exciting new glass lift access between the Castle site and Brewhouse Yard at the foot of Castle Rock
• Improved gatehouse entrance
• Visitors orientation centre with café, reception and retail outlet
• New Ducal Palace single storey courtyard extension and the re-establishment of what previously had been a double height exhibition Gallery space built in 1891 when the Museum first opened, to be part of the new Rebellion gallery attraction
• Updated and improved museum
• Improved Ducal Palace café/restaurant
• Groundworks to the Castle site with new activity zone
• Revamped handling and collections stores in the Waterworks Building
• Revitalised Museum of Nottingham Life with a new ground floor City of Caves story for Nottingham
• Improved use of technology for display and interpretation to encourage greater visitor participation, including state of the art augmented reality.

About HLF: 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.

Using money raised through the National Lottery, the Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) aims to make a lasting difference for heritage, people and communities across the UK and help build a resilient heritage economy. HLF has supported 36,000 projects with £6bn across the UK www.hlf.org.uk @heritagelottery. For more information, please contact Katie Owen or Tom Williams, HLF press office, on tel: (020) 7591 6036/6056 out of hours mobile: 07973 613820