Worries over future of heritage site as far fewer visitors anticipated after lockdown

Staff at a popular visitor attraction near Worksop have warned that the relaxing of lockdown does not end the financial struggle for its future.
Creswell Crags has an uncertain future.Creswell Crags has an uncertain future.
Creswell Crags has an uncertain future.

Creswell Crags has been closed since March 17 due to the Covid-19 crisis.

In this time, the charity which runs the site has had no regular income.

Shortly after closure, it was one of the first heritage organisations in the country to sound the alarm, breaking the news that it might not survive the lockdown period.

With most staff furloughed and a rent holiday agreed by the landowner, Welbeck Estate, as well as a successful fundraising campaign that has already raised more than £20,000, prospects began to look brighter in May.

On May 29, the trust announced it had been successful in obtaining £25,000 in emergency funding from Historic England, and is awaiting the announcement of emergency funding allocation from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.

With lockdown easing, and the prospect of being allowed to open in the summer, short-term survival is more secure.

Duncan Wilson, chief executive of Historic England, said: “Our emergency grants are providing a much-needed safety net to organisations that are helping to save our most precious heritage.

“Our historic places bring us together, boost the economy and revitalise local communities. It is vital that they survive intact.”

However, the trust offers a stark warning of how precarious finances still are.

In common with other independent museums and visitor attractions, staff are not sure the museum and visitor centre can afford to re-open.

Despite the easing of lockdown, the cafe remains closed and, at the current time, it is not cost effective to reopen safely, as the cost would be more than the income from visitors.

School visits, formerly the main income stream, may be well below previous levels.Dr Tim Caulton, chairman of Creswell Heritage Trust, said: “We are incredibly grateful for the generous donations from our supporters.

“However, our financial situation remains perilous as we restructure the organisation to operate safely for what we anticipate will be far fewer visitors in the foreseeable future.”

Donate at www.justgiving.com/campaign/supportcreswellcrags​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​.