Visitors to some National Trust cafes could face a shortage of homemade scones as the charity proposes cutting around 550 jobs to save £26m. The beloved British bakes might be shipped from a central source rather than freshly baked in smaller, less profitable venues, according to reports in The Times.
The National Trust, which cares for over 500 historic sites across England, Wales and Northern Ireland, blamed the recent rise in employer's National Insurance and the National Living Wage for adding more than £10m to its annual wage bill. The charity said the job cuts would affect approximately six per cent of its staff.
A spokesperson for the Trust confirmed that the proposed changes would impact fewer than ten per cent of its cafes, all of which are smaller outlets where rising costs make financial sustainability difficult. “We would still have food and drink available at these cafes, however, and in more than 90 per cent of our cafes there would be no change to what we offer,” they told The Independent.
The charity noted that despite growing visitor numbers and donations, increasing costs are outstripping growth. “To meet our aims and create a sustainable future for the organisation in a tough financial environment, our first step must be to ensure we are financially strong and properly resourced for the future,” the statement said. The proposed changes are intended to allow the Trust to continue caring for historic and natural environments long into the future.
