Nottingham Castle closed its doors to visitors on 21 November, 2022 with little sign of reopening soon

The owner of an independent business claims she has lost out on £200 due to the cancellation of Nottingham Castle’s Christmas market.

With the market scheduled from Friday, November 25 to Sunday, November 27, illustration company, Ellastrated, was one of the many independent businesses taking part and using the market stalls to showcase their products.

Ellastrated owner, Ella Kasperowicz, was saddened to find out the news of the event being scrapped through social media and that the trust had ‘not even contacted stall holders directly saying it was not going ahead or what was happening.’

Miss Kasperowicz, 26, was forced to face a major financial loss due to the closure, claiming: “I paid a large total of £150 along with a £50 deposit to have my own stall at the castle’s Christmas market, which I do not think I will be able to get back.

As a one-woman business this obviously has a massive financial impact, as well as the fact I turned down other markets to do this one.”

“This is a massive topic that will affect everyone, smaller companies need to have more support.”

– Ella Kasperowicz, owner of illustration business Ellastrated

Market organising company Pitch Presents relocated the market to Sneinton Market Avenues on Saturday, 26 November and Sunday, 27 November, helping Ella and the other artists to ‘hopefully make back the money they are owed’.

Ella Kasperowicz showcasing her brand Ellastrated at Sneinton Market on Nottingham Castle’s Christmas Market weekend (Photo credits: Ella Kasperowicz)

Nottingham Castle closed its doors on November 21, 2022 due to the Nottingham Castle Trust going into liquidation.

The castle had been experiencing a lack of guests in the lead up to its closure, as a plan to have 300,000 visitors a year come to the castle fell through, with representatives from the trust stating numbers were ‘significantly below’.

Irene Utting, 75, travelled from Norwich with her husband and friends to visit Nottingham Castle, however, these plans were brought to a halt on Monday.

Irene stated: “We have just got here and had no clue that the castle was closed, we are very sad about it and wish there had been more done so this does not happen again.”

Mrs Utting and the rest of her entourage also expressed their frustration at the £33 million renovation that left the castle closed for three years, believing that the ‘immense amount of money’ could have been spent on doing more to ‘entice customers’.

So far, Nottingham Castle have made one public announcement, stating: “We are saddened to announce that Nottingham Castle Trust has begun the process of appointing liquidators and the Castle grounds and exhibitions will remain closed to all visitors until further notice.”

No further comments have been made on whether the Christmas market stall holders will get their money back.

Some of the other independent businesses that were meant to be attending Nottingham Castle’s Christmas Market include:

  • Two Shires Cidery – @twoshirescidery
  • Alice Joanie Illustration – @alicejoanie
  • Sustainable Bags And Fashion – @sustainablebagsandfashion
  • Jewellery by Charlotte – @jewellery_by_charlotte
  • Studio Chocolate – @_studiochocolate
  • Skin Solace – @skinsolace
  • Made in kNotts – @made_in_knotts
  • Lakey’s Bakes – @lakeysbakes
  • Dragonflame Candles – @dragonflame.candles

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