Castle project given £1m bailout after cost rises

A council says it will fund a £1m rise in the cost of works to a castle attraction, as the project is a "once in a lifetime opportunity".

The scheme to reopen Newark's gatehouse in Nottinghamshire with an accessible ramp, galleries and viewing areas got under way last year.

The original budget of £5.6m was largely made up of lottery and central government funding, but tenders for the work came back "significantly over the budgeted cost".

Newark and Sherwood District Council has agreed to fund the shortfall of £1.02m, saying everyone is "custodians of this scheduled monument".

The infamous King John died at the castle in 1216, but a large part of the structure was demolished after a protracted siege in 1646.

Work is focused on reopening the gatehouse, which was the historical entrance but was blocked off hundreds of years ago.

The new entrance will lead to five gallery spaces which follow the castle's story through time and there will also be a tower-top viewing platform from which visitors can overlook the Trent Valley.

Council documents said: "The tender process for the construction contract was undertaken over the summer of 2024.

"All tenders returned significantly over the budgeted cost, and discussions with the quantity surveyor are ongoing to ascertain why, however, this does not alter the market position and tender returns."

The council said it had since looked for additional savings but despite clawing back £250,000, the shortfall remained at £1,020,600 – an increase of 18%.

Rowan Cozens, deputy leader of the council and portfolio holder for heritage, culture and the arts, said: "This is a once in a lifetime opportunity to do something with our iconic castle - if you think of Newark on Trent, you think of the castle.

"As a council and as residents, we are custodians of this scheduled monument.

"This gives people access to five gallery spaces, which really brings the town's story to life."

At a meeting this week, cabinet members agreed the additional funding from the council's change management reserve.

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