‘We won’t go down without a fight’
Reopening brings glimmer of hope for Yorkshire tourist attraction turned down for coronavirus grants
IT PROMISES visitors the sights, sounds and smells of life on the Home Front and the front line, set in a genuine Second World War prisoner-of-war camp.
But since the lockdown in March, the gates of Eden Camp, near Malton, have been firmly closed and the family-run business, which receives no taxpayer support, has had no income.
Even when it reopens on Monday, July 6, there is no certainty that it can raise enough money in the remaining weeks of the season to tide it and its 35 staff over the lean winter season. The museum has hit out at “unhelpful” state-backed lenders for not helping them in their “hour of need”.
Museum manager Nick Hill said the attraction had been turned down for three government grants, including the small business grant and the retail, hospitality and leisure grant, as the large site means that the business exceeds the rateable value set. Bosses have also tried to raise loans via the Bounce Back and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Schemes, but have been rejected.
Mr Hill said: “It is very frustrating as the Government has made a lot of noise about getting businesses back on their feet. The first lender refused us due to the seasonal nature of our business, even though we submitted our accounts and our credit rating is 100 per cent.
“The other governmentbacked lender said because we hadn’t been operating the past three months they could not give us any money, which is ridiculous seeing it wasn’t our choice not to trade.
“As far as they are concerned there’s no risk to them as the Government have given them a 100 per cent guarantee. And they would be getting eight or nine per cent interest back.”
The museum was opened in 1987 by businessman Stan Johnson, whose children Howard and Paula now run it.
Mr Hill, who has worked at Eden Camp for 26 years, said staff were not prepared to go down “without a fight”.
“It’s a crying shame, what’s happening,” he added. “We are confident in the claim that we have the most comprehensive, permanent display of 20th century British military history and 1930s and 1940s social history in the world. People know about the Imperial War Museum, the National Army Museum, which receive public funding, but we present more information, more material and stories than they do.”
He said a lack of confirmation – until yesterday – over reopening added to the stress. The centre will aim for a maximum 500 visitors – half its peak numbers – to maintain social distancing.
He said: “Unfortunately without visitors in the last three months it has been a little bit dead. It is putting life again into the museum which is fantastic.”
A GoFundMe appeal, set up on behalf of the camp, has raised £3,000, which will buy essentials like personal protective equipment.
It is putting life again into the museum which is fantastic. Nick Hill, manager of Eden Camp museum, near Malton.