Heritage in the cost of living crisis

The Heritage Alliance releases new report highlighting severe financial threats facing the heritage sector

The Heritage Alliance, a charity representing over 200 heritage organisations in England, has published a new insight report exploring the impacts of the cost of living crisis on the sector. Following 18 months of data gathering, the research published today highlights how new challenges have deepened cracks in the foundations of the sector and sets out a range of potential solutions.

Dr Ingrid Samuel OBE, Chair of the Heritage Alliance, said:

“We are facing challenging times. In the wake of global conflict, rising costs in everything from energy to materials have met falling funding, a slow recovery from the Covid-19 pandemic and a depressed consumer market to impact businesses and individuals across the UK. Heritage organisations have been stretched, and are now facing these and additional demands such as the need to adapt to a changing climate or an increasingly digitised world.  Some of these pressures have developed over time, but recent trends have left the sector feeling particularly vulnerable.

Our Heritage on the Brink report demonstrates the scale of the risk now facing the sector and paints a stark picture of what ‘one more rainy day’ could mean. Importantly it captures how our heritage leaders and organisations are feeling about the pressures they face. But amidst the troubling realities, the report also captures signs of hope. Across the sector, heritage organisations have come together to help one another, sharing skills and knowledge to ensure mutual survival. Many organisations have demonstrated striking creativity in tackling the challenges they face whilst broadening access and engagement and making a tangible difference to the most vulnerable in their local areas.

Heritage is not just ‘old things’, or all about the past. The choices we make today are about what we want to carry forward into a tomorrow we want to see. I hope that our evidence and recommendations will arm decision-makers with the tools to support and invest in the future of heritage, and enable it to keep delivering for those that need it most.”

Heritage is the bedrock of Britain; it breathes life into our towns, cities, coasts, and countryside, creating places that people want to live and invest in. The heritage sector contributes an estimated £45.1 billion in gross value added to the UK economy and supports over 538,000 jobs. It is estimated to make a larger direct contribution to UK GDP than the security, deference, or aerospace industries. Heritage is a living and breathing part of our everyday economy – from canals and railways to high streets and theatres. However, the heritage sector is now facing a significant threat.

The report finds that:

• Heritage is facing an existential threat: If heritage is not looked after it declines rapidly – and once it is gone, it is gone forever. Without ongoing investment, the risk of collapse is real – and in many cases, literal.
• Heritage is facing particular vulnerabilities: 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
• Heritage is a resilient and resourceful sector: Heritage organisations have survived and thrived in the face of significant threats, many of them in recent history. With investment from funders, the sector has worked tirelessly to help itself, and demonstrated remarkable resilience and creativity – but it can only do so much.
• Heritage is part of the solution: Our sector is uniquely placed to drive sustainable growth and offer support to those that need it most. Heritage has significant wellbeing value, it is the arena and backdrop to our successful creative industries, it gives pride and meaning in place, and it boosts soft power internationally.
• Heritage could do more with more: Investment in our sector will yield benefits for everyone. The Culture Recovery Fund was unprecedented but does not need to be unrepeatable – sustained, targeted investment is needed at this critical time to unleash the growth and social good heritage can provide.

Lisa Ollerhead, Director of AIM, said:

“AIM warmly welcomes this timely and thorough exploration of the challenges facing the sector. While the findings may be sobering, the wealth of recommendations and acknowledgment of the resilience and creativity within our represented organisations inspire optimism. We look forward to continued collaboration with The Heritage Alliance, not only to amplify this work but to address these challenges together, seeking innovative solutions to safeguard our irreplaceable heritage for the years ahead.”

Click here to access the report>>