SINTONS has been part of the local corporate team working behind the scenes to support the re-opneing of a famous North-East castle. 

Auckland Castle in Bishop Auckland, County Durham tentatively opened its doors two days a week on April 1 and has already welcomed almost 1500 visitors, and as of May 1, it has introduced the longer opening hours in preparation for a surge in visitors expected to flock to the heritage site over the summer months.

The Auckland Castle Trust, headed by businessman and philanthropist Jonathan Ruffer who took over its ownership last September in a bid to re-invigorate the site and the local economy through a five year re-development plan, has enlisted the support of a number of specialist organisations to get the project off to the best possible start. 

As well as working with the Auckland Castle Trust to devise the terms and conditions for events held at the venue - including weddings, for which Auckland Castle is already well known – the law firm also supports the Trust in ensuring compliance with the current maze of employment legislation.

Through Assero – the firm’s fixed-fee employment law package designed for businesses, charities and other commercial organisations - Sintons has helped the Trust to implement T&Cs of employment at the venue and to devise a handbook of policies and procedures for its staff.

Donna Hunwick, solicitor in the Employment Team at Sintons, said: “Auckland Castle is a magnificent venue which, in the promotion of its charitable objectives, makes a huge contribution to the local community and wider North East.

“We are very proud to be working alongside the team to support the Trustees with their employment and compliance issues, and it is a real privilege to be able to play a role in supporting the venue to hold events and weddings, for which they are renowned through the region and beyond. 

"As a fellow North-East business and adviser to a number of charities in the region, we are privileged to be working with Auckland Castle Trust and we look forward to growing our relationship in the months and years to come.”    

Sintons is not the only organisation to benefit from Auckland Castle’s development plans.  The Trust is committed to supporting the local and regional economy where they can and the castle’s gift shop alone showcases a number of products crafted locally.  The castle’s cafe is being operated by Newcastle-based LoveFood catering.

Rowena Hackwood, chief executive of the Auckland Castle Trust, said that the team was pleased to have provided opportunities for local businesses including Sintons.

She said: “We are pleased to have been able to involve so many North East businesses and organisations in our plans to date and will continue to seek opportunities to build partnerships that will benefit our plans and which will feed back into the regional economy.

“Sintons is one company we’ve turned to for their professional expertise as we prepared to open and the team there has helped guide us through the intricacies of employment law and a host of other corporate issues in a really straightforward and professional manner.  We look forward to developing this partnership as our plans develop over the coming months and years.”

Auckland Castle is open on Sundays and Mondays from 11.00am to 4.00pm from May 1, the castle will be open every day except for Tuesdays from 10.30am to 4.00 pm.  The cost for entry into the castle is £8 for adults, £6 for concessions, £4 for children and £20 for a family card. 

For further information visit the website www.aucklandcastle.org or call 01388 743 750.