National Trust trading income rises

Finance | Celina Ribeiro | 11 Nov 2009

The National Trust has reported an across-the-board increase in its trading and membership this year.

Visitor numbers at National Trust sites this October were up by 18 per cent on last October's figures, the trust’s director general Fiona Reynolds told National Trust members at the organisation’s AGM last Saturday, 7 November.

Visitor numbers have had an impact on other areas of income generation, with catering income rising 22 per cent, retail sales increasing by 15 per cent and holiday accommodation booking up by 8 per cent this October compared to last.

The figures will give cause for comfort at the Trust which saw a slight dip in enterprise income in the year ending 28 February 2009 compared with the previous financial year, coming in at just over £50m.

Reynolds told the AGM that the results prove that the Trust is still relevant, even during the recession. “We have had an amazing year and people have come to us in droves,” she said.

“What has captured the public imagination has been the authentic experiences we offer. Those moments of peace enjoyed in beautiful surroundings, or spending time with friends and family at a woodland, give us something lasting and memorable that stands above the cheap thrill of consumer world.”

Chairman Simon Jenkins informed the 600 members estimated to have turned out at the AGM that the Trust will focus now on increasing the speed of its decision-making processes, in part by driving forward the ‘localism’ agenda, which sees local managers given more power to implement strategies within their areas.

Jenkins explained that the Trust is moving on “from the ‘frozen moment in time’ approach to create a more dynamic and atmospheric space in which visitors can immerse themselves”.

“Work has begun in making this happen, but I believe that there is so much more we can do to bring all our properties to life.”

Photo of Seaton Delaval Hall, by Phil Lindsay for the National Trust.

Directory: National Trust
Who's Who: Fiona Reynolds

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