Newark Castle Gatehouse project could bring more than 20,000 new visitors to the town each year
Landmark plans to restore Newark Castle could bring more than 20,000 new visitors to the town each year, a report has revealed.
Newark and Sherwood District Council's policy and finance committee unanimously supported plans for the Castle Gatehouse project.
It includes a new entrance from Beastmarket Hill, an entry pavilion, visitor reception in the grounds and, a separate facility under a gatehouse bridge, which will host educational outreach activities and events and act as a community hub.
Committee member were told plans would increase footfall figures at the castle grounds from just under 3,000 a year to 24,000 a year.
Committee member Roger Jackson said it was an exciting prospect for the district's businesses.
"People think of Nottinghamshire as Robin Hood, Sherwood Forest and castles, and this is one of the best castles we have in the county," said Mr Jackson.
"It is something we need to push as a destination of tourism in the town.
"A lot of the castle is not accessible at the moment and this will open it up to more visitors.
"It has been there 1,000 years through a civil war and four sieges, so there is a story to tell there.
"It is very much worth spending the money on and it will bring more people not only to Newark but to the surrounding areas.
"It is the greater picture we have to look at not just Newark."
The project, which is awaiting planning permission, is an important step towards finalising the business case to central government to release the £2.6m Towns Fund grant allocation for the project.
Committee member Paul Peacock said the proposed increase in footfall by the business case — up 21,000 — was ambitious.
He said signposting to Newark Castle from one of the district's biggest attractions in Sherwood Forest would also contribute to a boost in the figures.
"Sherwood Forest enjoys 400,000 visitors a year and we should be signposting from Sherwood Forest into Newark as well," he said.
"You might get the idea that it is just old families [who visit Sherwood Forest] but it is not. It is mainly grandparents taking grandchildren away.
"But those same grandparents have got money and they will be interested in the heritage and cultural offering that we have got in Newark.
"Whether they come from China or Sheffield, we need to tell them we have something interesting in Newark."
David Lloyd, chairman of the committee and leader of the council, agreed with Mr Peacock's suggestion.
