Blow to plans for Robin Hood visitors centre in Sherwood Forest

The council says it remains determined to modernise and update the centre at Sherwood Forest by 2017, in order to do justice to the legend of Robin Hood.

But the authority says it is disappointed that it is no longer working with Discovery Attractions and is now looking to secure a new partner to redevelop the visitor centre through a process which will commence in late summer 2014.

Despite receiving firm assurances in March 2014 from Discovery Attractions that full funding had been secured to deliver the new attraction, the council says it did not receive the required detailed information to be able to confirm this position, and has therefore chosen to end its work with Discovery.

Derek Higton, service director at NCC, said: “We are absolutely committed to establishing a high quality visitor centre at Sherwood Forest and I’m sure that local people will be as disappointed with this turn of events as we are.

“The most important thing is to ensure we get the right partner in place. We are excited about looking for a new partner, and we intend to go back to the market later this summer to explore new ways of delivering a replacement visitor centre. We have worked hard to support Discovery Attractions every step of the way to deliver this project. Due to them not being able to find the finances needed and in view of the time we have given them since they were selected, it is in the best interests of the council and Sherwood Forest that we move on to realise our vision of an engaging and modern visitor offer.”

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