PRICED OUT OF THE FOREST

A hike in fees from Forestry England has bike-based businesses worried about the future

Mountain bike coaches and guides in England are worried that a new fee structure could be the death knell for their businesses. The amount they have to pay Forestry England to operate in public-owned woodland has risen significantly, with the government agency now demanding 20 per cent of total revenue generated. That’s not one-fifth of profits, but of any money these small providers bring in, before tax, expenditure on essentials, etc.

We’ve spoken to several outfits based in the Forest of Dean, in Gloucestershire, who say they’re already struggling amid the cost-ofliving crisis. These fees are cutting into their narrow profit margins and could ultimately prove unsustainable. Some are contemplating moving across the border – although there’s no guarantee fees will be lower there, as Natural Resources Wales Forestry England’s Welsh counterpart) are reviewing their pricing. There’s already a trend of events migrating to Scotland, too. A prime example is the PMBA Enduro Series, which began in 2013 in Gisburn Forest, Lancashire, but will have rounds in Ae and Kirroughtree forests this year.

When questioned about their National Pricing Strategy, Forestry England told us they’d examined different models and deemed the 20 per cent revenue share the “fairest” option. However, it hasn’t been uniformly applied. In some areas, they’ve run the system since 2021. In others, such as Shropshire, it’s yet to be introduced. Their representative Rebecca Ulewicz told us that the strategy was designed to provide consistent pricing across the country. She explained that there may be discrepancies because each district has its own priorities, and some will switch over once a previous agreement expires.

The businesses we’ve spoken to aren’t contesting the necessity of payment for use of the land. On the contrary, they recognise the increasing cost and work involved in maintaining the nation’s forests. Their concern is that a revenue share is unsustainable. They feel it would be fairer to pay either a fixed rate or a percentage of profits, and point out the benefits they bring to the forests, from attracting visitors to keeping trail users safe.

Providers have started a petition urging Forestry England to rethink the charges. To add your name, visit www.change.org and search for National Pricing Structure.