Welbeck Estate helps boost Creswell Crags trust's survival chances with rent holiday

The estate is the landowner of the site and has now offered the Creswell Heritage Trust a rent holiday to help bring down its costs while it is unable to welcome visitors to the site.

Creswell Crags was one of the first independent heritage organisations to declare itself in danger due to Covid-19.

Run by Creswell Heritage Trust, an independent registered charity, the site near Worksop has existed for at least 60,000 years.

The limestone gorge, honeycombed with caves, was home to early humans and Neanderthals, woolly mammoths and hyenas.

With its stunning views, museum of archaeological artefacts and cave tours, it is a key part of the East Midlands tourism economy.

The trust has furloughed most of its staff and launched a public fundraiser, currently at 30 per cent of the £50,000 target on JustGiving.

The four staff who are still at work have been researching and applying for emergency grants and working on fundraising initiatives such as an upcoming auction.

There has been huge public support on social media and now the announcement of a rent holiday by the Welbeck Estate, is one of the most positive developments so far.

Ian Goodwin, chief executive of Welbeck Estate said, “We are happy to support Creswell Crags through this challenging financial time, and so while the lockdown is in place we won’t be asking Creswell Heritage Trust for monthly rent payments.

“Creswell Crags is a hugely important heritage site and must be protected for future generations.

“We hope that our gesture will help support this important charity for the benefit of the local community.”

Paul Baker,executive director of the heritage trust, said, “This has been a humbling situation, we've had so much support from so many of our visitors and friends in the heritage, arts and academic communities.

“Now our landlords, the Welbeck Estate are looking at ways they can help make these donations go further during this challenging period.

“I am very appreciative that they have responded positively to our call for help.

“The Welbeck Estate is the home of a rich variety of leisure, arts and cultural organisations and we are proud to count them as our friends and neighbours.

“I'm sure together we can find new ways to confront the challenges ahead.”

Dr Tim Caulton, chairman of the trust, added: “We are immensely grateful for the lifeline that Welbeck Estate has thrown to us.

“It means that Creswell Heritage Trust is no longer in danger of imminent insolvency and we are now able to apply for emergency funding available in support of heritage organisations at risk.

“The situation will still be financially difficult for the trust as we are locked down at the peak of our trading season.

“But we are taking the time to restructure our organisation and the way we operate.”