HERITAGE FACT SHEET 1: the value of the historic environment
The value of the historic environment
We value the historic environment in Britain – as a leisure activity, for its
contribution towards making places attractive to live and work, for its historic
and cultural interest, its importance to tourism and for its role in local and
national identity. This value is reflected in the premium that many people are
prepared to pay to live in historic houses and areas, the membership of
heritage organisations and the hundreds of community groups which exist to
safeguard local heritage.
o 7 out of 10 adults in England have visited a heritage site in the last 12
months1
o In 2009, membership of heritage organisations reached more than four
million2
o There are around 500,000 heritage volunteers in England. Each year,
heritage volunteers gave 58.5 million hours which equates to a notional
value of £335 million3
o 53.7% of adults in England state that they live in a historic house or
area4
o Nine out of ten (92.7%) agree that when improving local places, it is
worth saving their historic features 5
o The value people and organisations can be seen in the level of private
giving to the heritage sector. In 2008/09 heritage organisations
received £225.2 million in private investment, £18 million more than in
2007/08 and 34% of all private investment in the cultural sector, the
highest of any art form.6
o Heritage organisations accounted for over half (52%) of all individual
giving to the cultural sector in the UK, totalling £199 million per annum
in 2007/08. Private investment in heritage sites continues to grow and
in 2007/08 was 25% higher than in 2006/07.7
Economic impact of heritage
Heritage plays an important role in times of recovery
Heritage provides perspective and stability, helping us see beyond the current
economic crisis. It reminds us of the long term and what we value as a
society. It communicates the values of the past, negotiates the values of the
present and helps us identify things that we think will be important in the
future. Its popularity and importance to people is seen in the visitor figures for
2009.
 There were three quarters of a million more visitors to EH properties in
the year to October 2009, 16% up on the previous year’s total, bringing
1
Taking Part, DCMS
Heritage Counts 2009
3
Using mean number of hours volunteered in the last four weeks from Taking Part and the adult
minimum wage
4
Taking Part, DCMS
5
Ibid
6
Private Investment in Culture 2008/09 Headline Figures, Arts and Business, 2010
7
Private Investment in Culture 2007/08 Arts and Business July 2009
2
the total number of EH visitors to 5.4 million.8 The number of paid visits
to National Trust properties rose from 11.9 million to the end of
September 2008 to 14 million to the end of September 2009, an
increase of 18%9
Tourism has been identified as a key business sector in the next decade, with
the historic environment as perhaps its most important components.
 It is estimated that tourism economy will grow by 2.6% a year between
2009 and 2018, higher than the 0.8% forecast for manufacturing and
similar to retailing and construction. 10
 History/Built heritage is the strongest product driver in most overseas
markets, and has been found to be the highest rated attribute in the
perception of Britain as a tourist destination.11
The heritage sector provides a diverse range of employment and business
opportunities across the country.
The heritage sector is diverse, employing businesses and individuals with a
wide range of skills and knowledge. Visitor attraction staff, archaeologists,
conservators, historians, craftspeople, planners, marketing specialists all
contribute towards maintaining and promoting our historic environment.
o 113,000 jobs are directly sustained through the heritage tourism
economy in the UK; another 157,000 jobs are accounted for indirectly
by heritage tourism12.
o In 2007, a construction workforce of approximately 109,000 were
directly involved in work on pre-1919 buildings. By 2012, it is predicted
that this will increase by over 4,00013
The historic environment provides employment and business opportunities
throughout the country, in some of England’s most deprived areas
o In the South West, Cumbria, North East and Wales it is estimated that
each job in the National Trust generates between five and nine
additional full time equivalent jobs14
o Just under half of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awards have gone to
areas of high deprivation and two thirds of HLF expenditure to the 25%
most deprived areas in the UK15.
8
Internal English Heritage performance figures 12/2/2010
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/culture/culturenews/6513509/National-Trust-visitor-numbers-up.html
accessed 12/2/2010
9
10
The Economic Case for the Visitor Economy, Deloitte, 2008
ANHOLT-GMI Nation Brand Index, VB Nov 2007
12
Economic Impact of the UK heritage tourism economy, Oxford Economics 2009
13
Skills Needs Analysis of the Built Heritage Sector, National Heritage Training Group 2008
14
Valuing our Environment, National Trust
15
Heritage Counts 2009
11
The repair and maintenance of existing historic building stock is an important
part of the construction industry, gaining increasing importance in the current
economic climate.
Repair and maintenance is a vital part of our construction industry, accounting
for just under half (43%, £47.2 billion) of all construction output in 2008.16
Much of this output will be on pre 1919 houses which make up an estimated
fifth of all dwellings in England.17
o Construction value output for all repairs and maintenance has grown in
2009, and by the 3rd quarter was 10% higher than in the previous
quarter. In contrast output in new housing continue to falls 18
o An estimated 15%, or £7 billion, of total repair and maintenance output
in Britain is linked to work carried out on pre 1919 buildings19
Investment in the maintenance and repair of existing housing stock sustains a
significantly more direct construction jobs than the equivalent investment in
new build. It also supports a far more varied spectrum of businesses,
including a higher proportion of SMEs.
o Every £1 million of output in repair and maintenance of housing creates
55% more direct construction labour input than £1 million of output for
new build (both private and public).20
o Approximately a third (32%) of all value work done by private
contractors in repair and maintenance is produced by companies
employing 13 people or less. The equivalent for new build was 11%.21
Providing people with the skills to get back to work and improve
employment opportunities
We are committed to providing employment and training opportunities for
those worse hit by the current recession, including young people.
Opportunities are available in a wide range of areas, reflecting the diverse
nature of our sector.
o Under the “Skills for the Future” programme, HLF has committed £5
million to fund up to 1,000 paid training opportunities, including many
young people22 and English Heritage has secured funding from the
Future Jobs Fund for employment opportunities for up to 142
unemployed young people to work at the National Monuments Record
Centre in Swindon23.
16
ONS Output in the Construction Industry, 3rd quarter 2009, December 2009
Heritage Counts 2008
18
ONS Output in the Construction Industry, 3rd quarter 2009, December 2009
17
19
Traditional Building Craft Skills, National Heritage Training Group 2008
Construction Skills 2008
21
Construction Statistics Annual: 2008 Edition Statistics for October to December 2007 Office for
National Statistics
20
22
23
http://www.hlf.org.uk/news/Pages/SkillsfortheFutureprogramme.aspx accessed 23/12/2009
http://www.culture.gov.uk/reference_library/media_releases/6527.aspx accessed 17/2/2010
There is a strong tradition of volunteering in the heritage sector; from
conservation, to membership of local amenity societies to involvement in
running historic sites. Many volunteering opportunities help develop the skills
needed to be an effective member of the workforce.
o
Heritage volunteers are often part of a team who have to make
management decisions (36.1% are on a committee), plan and deliver
complex projects (40.8% have helped run an activity or event) and
undertake administrative activities (20.7%). All of these are transferable
skills which are relevant to the workplace 24
o
Over half (53%) of volunteers on a selection of HLF projects had been
able to transfer these types of skills to other areas of their lives and
nearly a third to their professional lives. 25
The heritage sector’s long standing partnership with the construction industry
is equipping people with the skills needed to work on historic buildings and
ensure the long-term future of our historic buildings.
o The Traditional Building Skills Bursary is a £1.2 million scheme offering
bursaries and work-based training placements throughout England and
Wales. Running for four years until 2010 the scheme addresses some
of the currently recognised skills shortages and gaps within the
traditional crafts and built heritage sector.
Contributing to the Climate Change agenda
The existing building stock is vital to our response to climate change. Two
thirds of all dwellings likely to be in existence by 2050 will have been built
before 200526 and it will take between 130 and 250 years to replace the
existing housing stock with new build27.
Heritage-led regeneration is a success story
Heritage-led regeneration is often a very successful way of regenerating
towns and villages. Unlike other types of regeneration, heritage-led
regeneration is not limited in where it can take place. Heritage exists all over
England, from rural areas to our urban centres, and a heritage regeneration
project can be small scale involving the regeneration of historic gardens and
churches to much larger scale such as the regeneration of Brighton sea front
or Grainger town in Newcastle. Heritage projects also tend to allocate a higher
proportion of project spend to labour, leading to higher indirect impacts for
local communities. Heritage-led regeneration projects have many lasting
economic and social benefits for individuals and communities. These are
highlighted below.
Economic benefits
24
Taking Part, DCMS
Assessment of the social impact of participation in HLF funded projects, Burns Owens Consulting
2009
26
Heritage Counts 2009
27
The Opportunities and Costs of Cutting VAT: The effects of selected reductions in the rate of VAT
on the labour element of housing repair, maintenance and improvement (VAT Coalition February
2010)
25
o Heritage regeneration projects are often very good at drawing in
additional funding. One study, using a series of successful case
studies, found that on average £10,000 of heritage investment levered
in £26,000 match-funding from the public and private sector.28
o It is estimated that in 2007, HLF projects supported 2,200 job years in
local economies (within 10 miles) and enhanced local GVA by £91
million. On an ongoing basis they support 1,277 FTE jobs locally and
add £33 million in GVA to the local area. 29
o Heritage projects have a positive impact on local communities.
Approximately 50% of goods and services on HLF projects were
sourced from local areas and a further 26% within the region.30
o Heritage Economic Regeneration Schemes (HERs) have been very
successful at increasing or improving commercial floorspace and
creating or safeguarding jobs. For example the Winner Street HERS
scheme in Paington lead to 2,482 squared metres of commercial
floorspace improved, 10 vacant commercial buildings brought back into
use, 32 jobs created and 29 jobs safeguarded as well as providing 210
construction job weeks. It also directly contributed towards private
sector housing development which has brought in a new market for the
local businesses. 31
o 50% of employers in the Forest Gate HERs area employed more
people after completion of the scheme.32
o The Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) evaluation showed that five
years on from receiving THI funding vacancy rates in many of the
areas had fallen significantly.33
Social and community benefits
o In Bloxwich, there was a 52% improvement on how residents scored
where they lived after receiving HLF Townscape Heritage Initiative
Funding.34
o 31% of local residents said that Heritage Lottery funding in their area
had improved their quality of life.35
International reputation and tourism
Heritage is a key part of our international reputation – it attracts tourists and
investors. It is a significant employer and generator of wealth.
28
Heritage Dividends 2002
Economic Impact of HLF projects, Heritage Lottery Fund 2009
30
Ibid
31
Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme at Paignton Final Report 2009 (Torbay Council)
32
Forest Gate Heritage Economic Regeneration Scheme Evaluation (Urban Practitioners for Newham
and English Heritage
33
Evaluating the Townscape Heritage Initiative, Summary Findings Oxford Brooks University for
Heritage Lottery Fund, January 2008
34
Heritage Counts 2009
35
Impact of HLF funding 2005-07 Report, Visitor and Neighbourhood Surveys 2005-07, BDRC April
2008
29
o Heritage tourism is an industry worth £12.4bn a year to the UK36 and
taking into account indirect economic benefit heritage tourism is
responsible for £21bn of UK GDP annually.37
Our historic environment is a key driver in attracting inbound tourists to
England. It is also a consideration when British people decide where to
holiday in Britain.
o History/Built heritage is the strongest product driver in most overseas
markets, and has been found to be the highest rated attribute in the
perception of Britain as a tourist destination.38
o Over 80% of potential tourists would visit historic monuments and
buildings in Britain, making it the highest ranked activity.39
o In 2006, 30% of inbound visitors planned to see famous castles,
churches, monuments and historic houses. This is more than theatre,
opera, ballet and concerts (10%), Sport’s activities (11%) and
museums and art galleries (23%). Only shopping is more popular40.
o Approximately 30% of day visitors to the North West are motivated by
heritage41
The UK is a world leader in the heritage sector, with its skills, knowledge and
expertise sought after across the world.
o British expertise has been sought on a number of projects across the
globe, including providing support on the archaeological museum at
Carthage to the redevelopment of Valencia’s historic Art-Nouveau style
market42.
Our heritage is an important factor in attracting businesses and economic
migrants to the UK.
o Quality of life factors, including quality of place, appear increasingly
important in attracting private sector investment and skilled workers.
Distinctive architectures, cultural facilities, diverse housing stock and
access to natural amenities are all important factors which skilled
workers consider when choosing where to work and live43
36
Economic impact of heritage tourism, Oxford Economics, 2009. This includes museums and green
heritage sites as well as visits to the built historic environment
37
Economic impact of heritage tourism, Oxford Economics, 2009. This includes museums and green
heritage sites as well as visits to the built historic environment and the indirect economic impact
resulting from these sectors
38
ANHOLT-GMI Nation Brand Index, VB Nov 2007
39
Ibid.
40
Office for National Statistics, International Passenger Survey/ British Tourism Framework Review, Achieving
the Full Potential of the Visitor Economy, p37.
41
The economic impact of heritage in the North West 2008, Amion Consulting, Locum and Taylor
Young Ty
42
Tourism, Heritage and Museums British Expertise, UK Trade and Investment 2003
43
Competitive European Cities, Where do the core cities stand? Office of the Deputy Prime Minister,
2004
The heritage sector is playing a key role in the Cultural Olympiad 2012. Major
events such as Discovering Places will introduce more people, including
young people, to the historic environment.
Building stronger and more cohesive communities
The historic environment makes people feel more positive about where they
live. It creates distinct and special communities, places where people want to
work and live. Heritage develops people’s sense of place and local belonging
which helps create more cohesive communities.
o 85% of people surveyed felt the quality of public space and the built
environment had a direct impact on their lives and the way they feel
about where they live.44
o Nine out of ten people (92.7%) agree that when improving local places,
it is worth saving their historic features.45
o Adults who live in more historic areas have a statistically significant
stronger sense of place, regardless of socio-economic status and after
controlling for other factors know to impact on sense of place46
o Nearly three quarters of local residents believe that investment in the
historic environment makes local areas more attractive and 61% say it
makes an area a better place to live47
o Three quarters (72%) of local residents said that heritage supported by
HLF makes their area more attractive and 58% said that it was
important in making my part of the UK special.48
The historic environment also brings people and communities together. This
can be through heritage activities, or by simply providing safe and accessible
places where people can meet.
o 99% of HLF volunteers met new people through an HLF project with
37% socialising outside of the project.49
o In the North West, 98% of faith buildings had rooms used by the local
community and 60% ran social activities for young people and children.
Four out of ten of these buildings were listed and a significant higher
proportion will be historic;50
The historic environment contributes towards people’s sense of identity. It is a
shared currency which brings individuals, communities and groups together
and can help over come inter-generational and cultural differences.
o Adults and young people who can cite a building as unique or special
in their area have a stronger sense of place, regardless of socio44
The Value of Public Space: How high quality parks and public spaces create economic, social and
environmental value CABE 2004
45
Taking Part, DCMS
46
Sense of place and the historic environment, CURDS and Newcastle University 2009
47
Impact of HLF funding 2005-07 Report, Visitor and Neighbourhood Surveys 2005-07, BDRC April
2008
48
Ibid
Assessment of the social impact of participation in HLF funded projects ( BOP Consulting, 2009)
50
Faith in England’s Northwest: the contribution made by faith communities to civil society in the
region, November 2003
49
o
o
o
o
economic status and after controlling for other factors know to impact
on sense of place.51
Seven out of ten adults (71.7%) agree that they are interested in the
history of the place they live in.52
33% of HLF volunteer respondents agreed that the project had
increased feelings of belonging to their local area and 37% that it had
increased their sense of efficacy53
Over 50% of project managers felt their HLF projects led to people
having a greater understanding of their own identity (58%) and of
others’ identities (62%).54
Three quarters of all HLF projects surveyed in 2006 and 2007 reported
that their project “strengthens the bonds of trust within of between
communities” and 60% that it improves inter-generational
understanding.55
Issues concerning the historic environment are an important avenue through
which people become engaged in local decision making.
o There are over 1,000 civic societies in the UK, involving local people in
decisions about their area. 56
o 27% of all National Trust volunteers have been involved for more than
ten years and 45% volunteer because they are interested in a
particular site, usually local sites, which help develop their links to the
local community.57
Heritage makes us feel better, it inspires us
Heritage is inspiring, beautiful and uplifting. That is why so many people visit
and volunteer for the historic environment
o There were at least 44 million visits to heritage sites in England in
200858
o Seven out of ten adults in England visited a heritage site in the last 12
months. This equates to 28.4 million adults. In addition 65.8% of young
people aged 11-15, (2.1 million young people), and 72.1% of 5-10 year
olds, (2.5 million children) had visited a heritage site in the last 12
months.59
o 8 out of 10 would recommend the last site they visited to a friend or
family.60
51
Sense of place and the historic environment, CURDS and Newcastle University 2009
Taking Part, DCMS
53
Assessment of the social impact of participation in HLF funded projects, Burns Owens Consulting
2009
54
HLF – Heritage Grants and Your Heritage Programme Evaluation Year 2 Summary Report and
Aggregated Completions Report (2004, 2005 & 2006) IPSOS MORI, April 2008
52
55
Ibid
Civic Society Initiative http://www.civicsocietyinitiative.org.uk/ 22/12/2009
57
Heritage Counts 2008
58
Heritage Counts 2009
59
Taking Part, DCMS
60
Ibid
56
The historic environment contributes towards our well-being. It helps us feel
more positive, happy and connected to others.
o One in four people rated their latest visit to a heritage site as brilliant
(ten out of ten) and seven in ten people rated their last visit at least
eight out of ten.61
The historic environment is attractive to older people, offering opportunities for
volunteering and taking an active role in their local community.
o A third (31.3%) of all heritage volunteers are 65 years old and older62.
In contrast only 20% percentage of all people who undertake formal
volunteering are over 65 years old63. The benefits for older volunteers
include opportunity to meet people, undertake a challenge and keep
active and healthy.
A learning experience
The heritage sector provides excellent formal and informal learning
experiences for all age groups. Within a context of fewer overall education
visits overall, the sector has looked to new innovative ways to deliver learning
experiences.
o There were at least 1.6 million school visits to historic environment
sites in England in 2008.64
o A much higher number of children visit heritage sites outside of formal
educational opportunities. For example 72% of all 5-10 year olds have
visited a heritage site outside of school time in the last 12 months.65
o There is universal consensus on the value of educating children about
heritage with 95% of adults agreeing with the statement 'it is important
to educate children about heritage.'66
o Engaging Places, a website offering resources for teaching and
learning through the built environment received approximately 60,000
hits in its first six months of operation.67
o 93% of visitors to a sample of Heritage Open Days (HODs) agreed that
they had learnt something new from visiting the site.68
Heritage is accessible to all
Heritage is affordable and great value for money, with many historic places
free to visit.
o At least one third of historic attractions are free. The actual figure is
likely to be much higher.69
o Leisure/theme parks which charge are 30% more expensive than
historic houses/castles which charge.70
61
Ibid
Ibid
63
Citizenship Survey April 2007 – March 2008, CLG June 2008
64
Heritage Counts 2009
65
Taking Part, DCMS
66
Making Heritage Count, MORI 2003
67
Heritage Counts 2009
68
Heritage Open Days, Research Programme 2009, BDRC
69
Survey of Visits to Visitor Attractions 2009, BDRC, percentage likely to be much higher as free
attractions are less likely to be staffed and therefore unable to fill in any surveys
70
Survey of Visits to Visitor Attractions 2008, TNS
62
The historic environment provides a varied offer; ranging from historic
houses and towns to sites of industrial heritage, or urban social history.
o In 2008/09 one in five adults visited a place connected with industrial
heritage and four in ten adults visited a historic garden or park.71
o The slave trade and abolition programme launched in 2007 is just one
example of how the heritage sector is re-interpreting the historic
environment. Other examples include Audley End Below Stairs
exhibition and National Trust’s Back to Back houses in Birmingham.
In recent years the sector has undertaken a number of projects to increase
participation in under-represented groups.
o The percentage of Black, Asian and ethnic adults (BAME) visiting
historic sites increased by over 6 percentage points (50.7% to
57.1%) between 2005/06 and 2007/08.72
o Heritage Open Days, an annual even each year where attractions
not usually open to the public or usually charge open for free,
attract almost 1 million people. It is now the biggest mass
participation event in England. 15 years on it continues to attract
new participants. In 2009, a third of all visitors had visited a heritage
site once or less the previous 12 months.73
o At English Heritage’s top ten sites in 2008, 30% of visitors had not
been to a heritage site in the last 12 months74
Historic Review Executive Committee
25 February 2010
71
Taking Part, DCMS
Ibid
73
Heritage Open Days, Research Programme 2009, BDRC
74
English Heritage Visitor Survey 2008, BDRC
72