A new report from The Heritage Alliance highlights the severe financial threats facing the heritage sector. Following 18 months of data gathering, the ‘On the Brink: Heritage in the the Cost of Living Crisis‘ report demonstates how new challenges in energy bills, staffing, public engagement, and funding, have deepened cracks in the foundations of the sector and sets out a range of potential solutions. 

Industrial, martime, and transport archaeology and heritage sites and organisations were an important source of data for the report, with case studies including Cromford Mills and National Historic Ships. Its conclusions are particularly relevant to the industrial heritage sector, the report finding 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.

To view the report follow this link: https://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/our-work/publications/cost-of-living-report/

The Heritage Alliance is a charity representing over 200 heritage organisations in England. To find out more about there work and advocacy for the heriartge sector, including ndustrial heritage, visit their website here: https://www.theheritagealliance.org.uk/