Tales Of Robin Hood revamp?
NOTTS is preparing to entertain five million extra visitors set to flock to the county on the back of Ridley Scott's Robin Hood film.
And a new Legend of Robin Hood attraction on the site of the former Tales of Robin Hood, in Maid Marian Way, could be a focal point of their visits.
Planning Solutions Limited, which runs the successful Conkers forest attraction in Swadlincote, is in talks with the building's owners, Tesco.
A spokesman for the company said: "Talks are ongoing with Tesco. Planning Solutions are still undecided as to whether to proceed."
The Post understands there are issues with the building's structure.
Coun Graham Chapman, deputy leader of Nottingham City Council, said the council was keen for the attraction to go ahead.
He said: "There is an urgency to cash in on the film.
"Conkers is established and with their track record they are just the sort of people we want. It would kick-start a lot of the plans and encourage other people to get involved."
Coun Chapman said he would be speaking to the council's inward investment team to see if they could help make the attraction happen.
It would be one of a number of measures set up for the potential influx of tourism caused by the blockbuster, which is released on May 14.
Officials believe the number of tourists generated by it could be twice that brought in by the 1991 film Robin Hood Prince of Thieves.
Coun John Cottee, county council cabinet member for culture and community, who has approved the council's £50,000 promotional plan, said: "It is an amazing figure to be bringing in. I think we should be singing Robin Hood from the tree tops.
"The legend is something we have not taken advantage of in the past.
"We should be using Robin Hood to promote our businesses, our tourism and our county.
"It is a big opportunity to be seen on the world stage. We need to grab it with both hands."
Tourists would bring a financial boost to businesses, hotels and restaurants.
Packages are being put together which include accommodation and admission to attractions including Nottingham Castle and the Sherwood Forest Visitors Centre.
Mike Balcombe, tourism leader at Experience Nottinghamshire, said: "With Visit Britain, Experience Nottinghamshire is working alongside local authorities and East Midlands Tourism to develop a global marketing campaign.
"We are very excited about the release of Robin Hood and the potential positive impact it will have on tourism in the county."
The trailer for the Universal Pictures film, which also stars Cate Blanchett as Maid Marian, can be seen at www.robinhoodthemovie.com.
sarah.firth@nottinghameveningpost.co.uk
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by Chris Halpin, Cardiff (Formerly Nottingham)
Monday, March 29 2010, 2:01PM
“When I was 15, I was gainfully employed by the Tales of Robin Hood. As far as first jobs go, it was great, the team there were great fun, and promoting the legend of Robin Hood still fills me with a great sense of pride. I've been away from Nottingham for most of the past decade, and when I heard the Tales had closed it did fill me with sadness and nostalgia but I was by no means surprised. After years of mismanagement and lack of investment, it was overpriced and outdated when I worked there between 2000-2002; even then we didn't think it'd last long. The fact it limped through to 2009 is nothing short of a miracle. And now there are plans for a rejuvenation to cash in on the new film?
I'd like it to work, but unless Conkers are willing to splash the cash then it'll likely be another white elephant. Tales could not sustain itself as it did not move with the times. As an educational facility it could not rival similar attractions like the Jorvik Centre, as it lacked any real credibility. It sounds this revamp will be nothing short of a quick fix to rakein some quick cash and will be closed again within a number of years.
As a concept in 1989 the Tales brought together a team of craftspeople to create a unique attraction for Nottingham. I hope this potential new lease of life for the Tales is not a merely a rush job but a complete overhaul to give the city of Nottingham an attraction it can be proud of.”
by Barry, Stapleford
Thursday, February 04 2010, 8:22PM
“If this project brings tourist to our city/county then bring it on.
One word of warning though,after reading a letter sent by a tourist from Grimsby, who was rebuked for taking a photo, of his wife in Broadmarsh bus station,and as said he will never visit Nottingham again,lets be more welcoming to our visitors. This letter was in the NEP last week.”
by Stanley, London
Thursday, February 04 2010, 6:51PM
“The reason why RH hasn't be properly exploited is plain to see whenever I visit the NEP forums:
"Don't build it - it's a waste of money"
or
"I knew it would fail"
or
"Nottingham is rubbish"
This negative attitude, combined with the British love affair of watching things fail results in huge risk aversion. For us (for I am from Nottingham too) to truly milk this will require peole taking risks, a different attitude to entrepreneurs, much improved service standards (we're so far behind North America) and to get things going, maybe even spending some tax payers' money.”
by to, a nottsdweller
Thursday, February 04 2010, 6:51PM
“how was nottingham people the bad guy in the tale the people of nottingham was terrorists by the powers that be (sheriff so on)leading them to leave the law abiding into the forest (outlaws) robin fighted against the corrupt law.its prob just a story but i thought i would just say that”
by A.Nottsdweller, Nottingham
Thursday, February 04 2010, 5:53PM
“I think people forget that Nottingham is actually home of the bad guys in the Robin Hood tales.
That aside, why didn't the council include any Robin Hood features in the revamped Market Square?
Why haven't we got costumed characters role playing in the Market Square, strolling around talking to visitors, and staging mock fights between the Merry Men and the Sheriff's men?
Why? Because the Council can't see beyond their own pockets, and have spent / lost the citizens' money on senseless schemes, jollies abroad, and get-rich-quick bank Icelandic accounts!
Nottingham is renowned World Wide in connection to Robin Hood, and that the council have steadfastly refused to embrace this is a crying shame. Sack the lot of them, give them some of the costumes and make them work FOR Nottingham for a change.”