One in three jobs are at risk at The Bletchley Park Trust, which oversees work to remember the contribution of British codebreakers during the Second World War.
The charity said in a statement on Friday that it lost 95% of its normal income between March and July as a result of the coronavirus pandemic, leaving a projected £2m hole in its annual budget.
A “radical review” of the charity’s work, which was shared with staff last week, includes a possible 35 redundancies. Consultation on these plans begins this week, and will go on for 30 days.
Coronavirus having “a profound effect”
The Trust says it will aim to cut costs in marketing, new exhibitions, travel, IT and printing, and will also be introducing new processes to improve efficiency.
In an email to staff, chief executive Iain Standen said: “It with deep regret that I am informing you today that the Trust needs to cut jobs.
“We have built a very successful heritage attraction and museum at Bletchley Park and its principal strength is its people. However, the economic impact of the current crisis is having a profound effect on the Trust’s ability to survive.
“We have exhausted all other avenues, and we need to act now to ensure that the Trust survives and is sustainable in the future.”
Furlough and funding
Bletchley Park closed to the public on 19 March 2020, in line with lockdown rules, and reopened at the beginning of last month with what it called “significantly reduced visitor numbers”.
The Trust furloughed 85% of its staff and won some additional funding from the National Lottery Heritage Fund.
“No choice” but to restructure
Standen added: “I cannot stress how deeply saddened I am to announce the need for such a severe restructuring.
“We have built a brilliant team on the back of huge success and with great ambitions for the future, which we will now need to re-examine.
“I had hoped that we might avoid the need to do this, but we find ourselves with no other choice if we are to secure the future of the Bletchley Park Trust.”
