Weald and Downland Living Museum announces staff cuts as pandemic leads to ‘dramatic loss of income’

The Weald and Downland Living Museum in Town Lane has made 20 per cent of its employees redundant, a spokesman confirmed.

As an independent charity, the museum relies heavily on revenue from ticket sales, courses, events and venue hire.

Due to the long period of enforced closure and the impact posed by ongoing social distancing, it has experienced ‘a dramatic loss of income’ and will continue to do so ‘for the foreseeable future’, the spokesman said.

To safeguard the future of the Museum, the director and board of trustees carried out a thorough review of the organisation and operating structure.

Simon Wardell, museum Director, said: “To take these actions has been saddening for us all but unavoidable.

“However, we are obligated to take these steps to protect the future of the Museum and the work that is carried out here.”

As well as staffing cuts, the museum is also reviewing other areas of the organisation such as Winter opening hours.

The museum reopened to the wider public on Monday, July 6.

Strict safety measures and social distancing plans have been put in place to adhere to government guidelines.