>>1784106yeah it's a bit shit. At first they tried to be supportive, furloughed most staff and topped up the 80% govt pay to 100% of normal salaries, but as the pandemic has worn on their income has dropped like a stone. It turns out that most of the public see membership as a season ticket, not a way to support a conservation charity, so lots of people cancelled right away because properties are closed.
On paper they look like a rich charity, but much of that is tied up in illiquid assets they'd never sell like oil paintings. Their actual cash reserves are being hurt by lockdown, but they've made it worse for themselves e.g. no online shopping for all the nice products their gift shops can't sell anymore. The current leadership doesn't feel very proactive.
They've already announced redundancies are inevitable, and most long term projects are on hold, but they won't confirm who's staying and who's going until August. That's led to some sleepless nights as I'll be the only one paying our mortgage. 1950s style single-income household life here we come
Taking a longer term view, though, I'm sure they'll bounce back - there is always a place for conserving and protecting land.
