‘Our historic courts can be a grand venue again’

Steve Smith, head of property services, is confident the council can replicate many of the plans that multi-national giant Merlin Entertainments - owners of Warwick Castle - had in mind before they unexpectedly pulled out of a partnership deal last month.

Merlin wanted to stage corporate events and large weddings in the historic courtrooms - the town’s original Shire Hall - which have stood virtually empty since February 2011.

That was when the criminal courts were transferred to the Warwickshire Justice Centre in Newbold Terrace, Leamington. Merlin pulled out of the deal largely because of fears of breaching noise and nuisance regulations. Their advisers were worried there would be complaints from the eventual new owners of the Georgian town houses just across Northgate Street where work on restoration is due to start later this year.

Mr Smith said: “While we were disappointed the castle pulled out of the partnership, all the information we have had at our disposal gave us the confidence to take this project on. There are many empty historic court buildings around the country and so we felt this was a business risk we were prepared to take rather than mothball the place.

“We have already hired out the courtrooms for educational, fashion and murder mystery nights as well as civic and training purposes with our trading standards officers.

“We are sure this would be a grand venue for weddings. Indeed the castle itself might become one of our customers for larger events, for which we will carefully monitor late night noise levels.”

Mr Smith admitted that at the moment you could “hear a pin drop” in Northgate Street because of the absence of occupants but any new owners of the restored homes would be buying in the knowledge of the new use of the courts.