The National Trust has announced proposals to cut approximately 550 jobs, representing 6% of its workforce, as part of a plan to save £26 million. The cost-cutting measures could mean that some of its smaller cafés cease baking scones on-site, with the beloved treats potentially supplied from an external bakery instead.
All National Trust cafés will continue to serve scones, but the changes would affect fewer than 10% of outlets, described by the charity as smaller sites where rising costs are making it increasingly difficult to remain financially sustainable. The trust emphasised that any scones supplied externally would still be made to its own recipe.
The move comes amid rising costs for the charity, including increases in employers' National Insurance and the National Living Wage. Despite growing visitor numbers and donations, these costs are outstripping income, necessitating measures to ensure long-term financial sustainability, the trust said.
The proposals have sparked concern among volunteers and visitors, with one volunteer telling The Times that many people visit National Trust properties specifically for a cream tea, and that a move away from fresh baking could cause "severe disappointment". A source said some chefs and cooks at less profitable cafés would lose their jobs, with food brought in rather than freshly prepared.
Steve Thomas of the Prospect union, representing affected staff, warned that losing skilled employees would be "a disaster for the trust" and could reduce visitor numbers, worsening the financial position. The National Trust stressed that the plans are still at the consultation stage and that over 90% of its cafés would see no change to their offerings.
