Peak District Visitor Centre Staff Face Job Losses Amid Closure Plans
Staff at Peak District visitor centres are facing potential job losses again due to new closure plans and restructuring proposals
Peak District, Visitor Centre, Job Losses, Closure Plans, UK
Peak District: It’s a tough time for the staff at the visitor centres. Just when they thought they were in the clear, news of potential job losses is back on the table. It seems at least one centre might close, and two others could be run by volunteers, although the authority denies that part.
People are understandably upset. The staff at Bakewell, Castleton, Edale, and Bamford had fought hard to keep their jobs after a generous donor stepped in last time. Now, they feel like they’re back to square one.
The Peak District National Park Authority recently announced they’re consulting staff about restructuring. They’re facing financial pressures, mainly from a fixed government grant that hasn’t kept up with inflation and rising costs. It’s a real struggle, with funding cut by about 50% over the last decade.
As more visitors flock to the park, expectations are rising too. The authority is looking to make cuts in areas like community engagement and education, which is a bummer for everyone involved.
One anonymous staff member shared that the Edale centre is likely closing, and Fairholmes will only offer cycle hire. Bakewell and Castleton will stay open but might be staffed by volunteers instead of paid workers.
It’s frustrating for those who’ve been loyal to the park. They feel like the money from that mystery donor is being used to hire consultants instead of keeping staff on board.
Back in 2023, there were threats of redundancy for about 65 positions, but it’s unclear how many people left voluntarily. The authority is now looking at potential redundancies again, hoping to manage the situation through voluntary options.
Phil Mulligan, the chief executive, mentioned that they’re in a tough financial spot. The decisions they’re facing are hard for everyone, and they’re hoping for better news from the government regarding funding.
In their latest statement, the authority confirmed the possibility of closures and changes at the visitor centres. They’re still figuring out the specifics, but it’s clear that the future is uncertain for many staff members.
While they’re not planning to replace staff with volunteers, they do want to expand their volunteer program to help engage visitors better. It’s a challenging time, and everyone is hoping for a positive outcome.