English Heritage has annouced that it is reviewing its structure, with a series of proposals deisgned to enable the charity to meet the opportunities and challenges of the next few years.

On 1 April 2015, English Heritage was divided into two: Historic Engand inherited the statutory and protection functions of the old organisation, and the new English Heritage Trust. This new charity took on the English Heritage operating name and logo and care of the National Heritage Collection of over 400 propoerties and sites in the ownership of the state.

The UK Government gave the new charity an £80 million grant to help establish it as an independent trust, although the historic properties remain in the ownership of the state. English Heritage no longer receives or relies on regular funding from DCMS to care for the National Heritage Collection. 

The restructuring proposals will see an estimated net reduction of at least 7% (189) in their current workforce of 2,535 employees, as well as reduced opening hours for around 10% of the 400+ sites it looks after, including winter closing for 21 smaller sites. The English Heritage Trust cares for a number of industrial sites including Cantlop Bridge, Derwentcote Steel Furnace, the Ironbridge, Sibsey Trader Windmill, Saxtead Green Post Mill, Stott Park Bobbin Mill, and their most recent charge, Shrewsbury Flaxmill Maltings.

In announcing the review of its structure English Heritage noted that: ‘The pandemic and its aftermath led to lasting changes in visitor expectations and behaviour, both domestically and internationally, while many of our visitors and members are facing challenges with the cost of living. High inflation has increased the cost of conservation work at our sites but significant and ongoing expenditure is still required if the condition of the sites in our care is not to deteriorate.’

Read the full statement from English Heritage here: https://www.english-heritage.org.uk/about/search-news/pr-reshaping-english-heritage