Member Article

National Trust experiences December boom

The National Trust has reported a substantial increase in visitor numbers, and retail and catering sales in December 2011.

More than half-a-million people visited Trust properties over the month, representing a 74% year-on-year increase.

Mild weather and Christmas themed activities across the properties were identified as factors in the jump in visitor levels.

Over forty properties were open to the public over the weekends in December, including Attingham in Shropshire, which saw its busiest ever weekend with its Frost Fair.

The numbers mean the Trust is on target to have its best ever year for visitors to pay-for-entry properties, exceeding 18 million visitors for the first time in its history.

The retail business, which includes high street shops, shops at properties and online sales, saw an increase in sales of 24%, while cafes and restaurants experienced a 71% increase.

Fiona Reynolds, Director-General of the National Trust, said: “In these economically tough times the National Trust seems to have swum against the tide with these fantastic results.

Simon Jenkins, Chairman of the National Trust, added: “This shows that arts and heritage charities not dependent on government grants appear to be experiencing a surge in trading income.

“The public is turning away from more expensive leisure venues, overnight stays and foreign trips. It is a rare good news story in the gloom.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Tom Keighley .