Visitor Numbers:
The 10 Ironbridge Gorge Museums receive over 550,000 visitors per annum with around 70,000 of these being visits from schools.
Income:
Ironbridge is an independent charitable trust and is reliant on earned income to fulfil its charitable aims of education and conservation. More than half of the Trust’s revenue income comes directly from visitor admissions including gift aid and the remaining balance comes from revenue generated from its retail operation, conference & banqueting, tenanted properties and income from grant making trusts and individuals.
Capital Spending:
Over the last 15 years, the Trust has invested more than £30m in the development and conservation of the historic assets in its care. In meeting its charitable aims, the Trust has enjoyed substantial support from the Heritage Lottery Fund, European Regional Development Fund, Regional Development Agency, trusts and foundations, commercial sponsorship, covenants and private donors.
Visitor Profile:
Visitors to the Ironbridge Gorge World Heritage Site come from the all parts of the world and all areas of the UK. On average, more than 50% of our UK visitors come from the West Midlands region whilst around 7% of our total visitors come from abroad.
Employment:
The Trust supports around 160 full-time equivalent jobs directly and many hundreds indirectly in terms of its tenanted properties and the wider creative and visitor economies. As well as employing around 200 staff the Trust enjoys the support of over 200 regular volunteers.
Tourism Earnings:
Independent economic assessments estimate that the Trust generates around £20m of income per annum to the visitor economy of Telford & Wrekin and the wider Shropshire area. |
