‘Just days’ to save companies in ‘forgotten’ sector of tourism
OUTDOOR education centres in North Wales say they have just days to rescue a sector that employs 900 people and is worth £50 million.
The facilities, which equip young people with outdoor skills, believe they will be vital for children’s mental health after months indoors.
For the most part they have been closed during the pandemic and the sector has been given no indication when it can reopen.
As the majority of their clients are schools, outdoor education centres (OECs) are awaiting the outcome of a review of overnight school trips by the Department for Education (DfE).
Originally due in late February, it has been pushed back and is now due by the end of this week.
Gareth Davies, of the Arete Centre, Llanrug, said even if the review gives the green light, it may be too late for some OECs.
“It is already very last-minute for schools to prepare for residential trips, as most need to plan six to 12 months ahead,” he said.
“If there is no new guidance for schools, and no restart date, then the summer term will be lost.
“Without help the sector will die and with it access to outdoor education for future generations.”
Five OECs in Wales have closed in the past year and a number of facilities run by councils in England are reported to be under “critical review”.
There are 28 OECs in North Wales, the majority in Snowdonia (see panel).
Coalescing as the North Wales Save Outdoor Education (NWSOE) group, they are lobbying the UK and Welsh Governments to fasttrack a restart for overnight stays by school parties.
Covid-safe protocols are already in place in all OECs, said Gareth, whose business has lost £800,000 since the start of the pandemic.
“If schools are safe, centres are safer,” he said.
Ed Jones, director of Rhos y Gwaliau OEC in Bala, which employs six instructors, said there will come a point when centres will have to close.
So far his business has lost £900,000. He said: “We have seen a 98% drop in income despite our best efforts.
“We have now lost bookings into the summer term due to the lack of any clear decision from the DfE.”
A major gripe in the sector is a claimed disparency in the financial support which is offered to OECs compared with other sectors, most of which opened for short periods last year.
While OECs were able to take private groups, most rely on school parties for most of their income.
The week before last the Welsh Government extended its rates holiday for the retail, leisure and hospitality sectors for a further 12 months, helping businesses with rateable values up to £500,000.
It also announced a further £30m via the Economic Resilience Fund for hospitality, leisure and tourism businesses which employ 10 or more staff and are affected by Covid restrictions.
In addition a potential £150 million in grants is being made available through the Non Domestic Rates (NDR) scheme after the curbs were extended after last week’s review.
This will see qualifying businesses in the hospitality, tourism, leisure and non-essential retail sectors receiving up to £5,000 regardless of the number of employees they have.
Gareth said the support often failed to give priority to those businesses worst hit by the pandemic.
“Some businesses make more money from government support than they would have gained from their normal income,” he claimed.
“This is infuriating for struggling businesses which are desperately trying to keep staff employed.”
A Welsh Government spokesperson said: “We are doing everything we can to support businesses through this very difficult period.
“Welsh businesses have received support from our non-domestic rates scheme and our unique Economic Resilience Fund, in addition to the help offered by the UK Government.”
Not only is the sector ready to play a role in helping youngsters’ post-lockdown recovery, it has a wider role in Wales, said Gareth.
“They play a large role in promoting Wales to wider parts of the UK, teaching about its history, geography, culture and language,” he said.