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Beefeaters and other iconic uniformed staff face job cuts at the Tower of London
Beekeepers guarding the Tower of London face “heartbreaking” redundancies to cut costs after a drop in visitors.
The pandemic forced the closure of six sites managed by the Royal Historical Palaces (HRP) and “dealt a devastating blow” to its finances, the bosses said.
The Tower attracted almost three million visitors in 2018, making it the UK’s most popular paid attraction.
HRP confirmed that a voluntary redundancy scheme existed and that mandatory layoffs would likely follow.
The organization believes it is the first time that guards have faced redundancy since Henry VII formed the unit in 1485.
John Barnes, executive director of HRP, said: “Historic Royal Palaces is a self-funded charity. We depend on visitors for 80% of our income.
“We are heartbroken, it has come to this.
“We have taken all possible measures to secure our financial position, but we need to do more to survive in the long term.
“We simply have no choice but to cut our payroll costs.”
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Six sites managed by Historical Royal Palaces temporarily closed due to the pandemic
The temporary closure for visitors has created a deficit of £ 98 million this year, HRP said.
This is made up of current losses, high costs for heating maintenance and electricity supply to large properties, and a slow recovery expected in tourism.
Last year, it cost HRP £ 32 million to manage its six sites, including Hampton Court Palace and Kensington Palace.
At least two of the 37 Yeoman Guardians, nicknamed Beefeaters, who guard the Crown Jewels, have reportedly already taken voluntary redundancy.
The site reopened on July 10, but it only welcomes fewer than 1,000 people each day due to new security measures, a huge drop from the 12,000 they would visit on a typical day.
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Jobs at Hampton Court Palace are also at risk
The head of the Public and Commercial Services Union, which represents many workers at HRP sites, said the decision to cut jobs “is a disgrace.”
Secretary General Mark Serwotka said: “Our members help protect the Crown Jewels and keep the royal monuments and sites clean and safe.
“They shouldn’t be paying for the effects of the coronavirus pandemic.”
A Prime Minister spokesman said: “We recognize the important role Beefeater’s guards play in the rich cultural history of the United Kingdom.
“We are providing unprecedented financial assistance, which many heritage organizations, including the Historic Royal Palaces, have taken advantage of.”
