EXCLUSIVE: Duke speaks of lockdown impact on Goodwood
‘We’re strong but vulnerable’
● Festival of Speed and Revival are ‘not completely ruled out’ much later in year
● Mary Berry gives Duke’s baking efforts the thumbs up during lockdown
We’re strong but vulnerable,’ the Duke of Richmond admitted this week as he spoke about the massive impact of the coronavirus lockdown on the Goodwood Estate and its worldrenowned events.
But with his usual optimism he told the Observer that even though it was increasingly unlikely, he hasn’t completely ruled out the Festival of Speed and Revival still taking place in some form or another much later in the year and is pleased that the racecourse will be one of the first in the country to re-open behind closed doors in a couple of days’ time.
There are no guarantees though – and the outlook remains tough.
While the traditional estate activities such as organic farming and the sale of produce through its award-winning farm shop have seen growth, the big crowd-pulling events, which effectively support and subsidise the whole estate, have been brought to a standstill.
Two-thirds of the estate’s 750 full-time employees have been furloughed under the Government scheme and pioneering initiatives like Goodwoof – a celebration of our four-legged friends – sadly never made it to fruition because of the impact of the pandemic, even though the initial interest from everyone was huge.
“That was a big disappointment. We were very excited about it but we couldn’t possibly have gone ahead with it.
“Like the Members’ Meeting, which was all built and we literally had to pull it down.
“To not have any major events at Goodwood is like cutting off our oxygen. They mean so much to us – they are the life-blood of the estate. There is nothing we would love more than to be able to hold our events in some form or another.
“The situation is changing all the time so we are trying to be as open-minded to all outcomes and opportunities as we can.”
And horseracing is back in three days, albeit behind closed doors: “We’re very keen to get things moving again. It’s vital for the economy – the longer everything is shut down the harder it’s going to be to get back to normal.
The Duke was delighted when the golf course reopened. “It was like a Rolling Stones concert – we sold all our tee times in something like 30 seconds!”
Likewise, the motor circuit has been buzzing again with track days for those bringing their own cars, as well as cyclists who can now enjoy the track cycling sessions.
“All capital expenditure, like the transformation of the hotel, has been put on hold and it is likely to take several years to get these projects back on track”, the Duke said.
“This is serious for
Goodwood. I don’t want people to think ‘oh my goodness, this is all going to collapse in the morning’ because it isn’t, but at the same time this is having a massive impact on us and will do for some time. It’s going to set everyone back.”
“We are all about bringing people together and shared experiences, so something like social distancing is pretty catastrophic. The heart of our business is hospitality and big events.”
“The restaurants are scheduled to be back in business in early July but the two-metre social distancing rule will prevent the operation returning any kind of profit.”
The Duke is clear that a reduction to one metre – being called for by large swathes of the hospitality industry – would make a big difference.
“Like so many other people and businesses we have had effectively zero income since March and when you are employing so many people that’s quite a big hit.
“We’re not just sitting here thinking it’s all fine. It is going to be a slow process taking several years to get us back to where we were.
“Although we are vulnerable, we are also optimists and still excited by what the future holds and the opportunities that will be thrown up.
“It’s going to be challenging but fascinating too.
The Duke and his team are working on a number of new initiatives which he will be sharing in the coming weeks when the details are clearer.
“This lockdown has put everything into perspective – in some good ways.
“People will reflect on their values and how they spend their time. One day everything’s looking pretty calm and the next you are looking over the edge of a precipice – that’s bound to affect one’s thinking.
“But the way everybody has picked themselves up gives me huge confidence in our ability to adapt.”
He is also concerned for the wellbeing of Chichester and other local businesses, as well as employees and suppliers who depend on the estate. In a normal year Goodwood turns over £100m and makes a very considerable contribution to the local economy.
“Goodwood is very much part of the local scene and community and that’s very important to me and the estate as a whole and we are not going to disappear.
“But this is a very serious moment in our history and, just as everybody is, we are all under a lot of pressure.
“We’re going to need the support and understanding of our members and customers – and we’ll be talking to them soon about how they can help us continue to do all the things they enjoy about Goodwood well into the future.
“We very much value and appreciate all they bring to what we do.”