A new heritage charity report, backed by sector leaders, says ‘challenges have deepened’ in the sector
Heritage charity The Heritage Alliance has today published a new report which explores the impacts of the cost of living crisis on the sector.
Gathered from 18 months of data, ‘Heritage on the Brink’ paints a picture of a sector battling against ever-increasing financial pressures.
Backed by sector leaders, the report warns that the heritage sector is facing “an existential threat”, and if not looked after “the risk of collapse is real – and in many cases, literal.”
It goes on: “Whilst all sectors have felt the brunt of economic pressures in recent years, pre-existing challenges have made the heritage sector particularly vulnerable: from the demographics of our workforce to the fixed costs of heating, repairing, and conserving historic assets”
The report ends by calling for increased investment in the sector. It says the government’s multi-million pound Culture Recovery Fund pandemic response was “unprecedented but does not need to be unrepeatable”.
Part of the charity’s Heritage Manifesto, it has called for a range of interventions including a new Culture Growth Fund: a new phase of investment to support the sector during the ongoing crisis.
Sector leaders have added their voice to the report and the call for government investment.
Ben Cowell OBE, Director General of Historic Houses, said: “As this report so vividly shows, the costs of looking after heritage just keep on growing. Member properties at Historic Houses face challenges from all sides, among them soaring fuel costs, escalating insurance premiums, and the struggle to keep pace with regulatory requirements.
“Given that most heritage is looked after within the private sector, it is clear that the government should do much more to support the many independent owners and custodians of some of England’s most important heritage assets.”
Dr Nick Merriman OBE, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: “As a charity, English Heritage is proud to be working with the Trussell Trust to help those who use the trust’s food banks – but to really unlock heritage’s public wellbeing potential, it should be embedded in health and social care strategies. Ultimately, supporting the heritage sector to weather this crisis will allow it to help society in meaningful and long-lasting ways, for the benefit of everyone.”
Hilary McGrady, Director General of the National Trust, said: “There is a real risk that the structure of the sector could begin to crumble, and that heritage assets – and the skills and workforce that care for them – will be lost. We want to see more attention paid to this urgent threat, and action from the government to shore up this sector that enhances all of our lives.”
The report can be viewed and downloaded here.
