Plans to shut abbey every winter confirmed

Plans to permanently shut an ancient monastery during the winter have been confirmed.

Furness Abbey, on the outskirts of Barrow, Cumbria, was founded about 900 years ago and was the first of England's "greater monasteries" to be dissolved during Henry VIII's religious reforms.

English Heritage, which runs the site, has now confirmed it will be shut to the public from mid-November to the end of March as part of cost cuts.

Gill Jepson, a volunteer at the abbey, said the charity had taken the "easy way out".

She said the charity had not done enough to publicise Furness Abbey to visitors and this was partly why it had so few visitors in the winter.

"We're right next to the Lake District," said Ms Jepson. "We should be getting dozens and dozens of visitors down.

"We could have events in the autumn - there's just no imagination or creativity. They're doing their own staff a disservice."

The charity's territory director Andrea Selley said the body marketed Furness Abbey through its website, its members' handbook and press coverage.

"Tourism is very seasonal and the simple fact is that people do not visit certain sites during the winter months," she said.

The confirmation of the cuts comes after the charity had said it was still consulting with unions about the plans.

It said it could now confirm three other sites in Cumbria would also have their opening hours cut.

This includes Brougham Castle, near Penrith, and Lanercost Priory, which will be permanently shut to the public in the winter.

It also said Stott Park Bobbin Mill, in Windermere, would be closed throughout the year, except for special events which could include guided tours and temporary exhibitions.

The sites would all continue to open during the winter for pre-booked school groups, it added.

Ms Jepson said it was a "disgrace" Stott Park was having its hours so dramatically cut.

It was the last remaining working bobbin mill in the country, she said.

A spokesperson said it could not comment on job losses as it was still negotiating with unions.

"We are committed to working with the individuals affected and our trade unions to find ways to avoid and reduce redundancies," they said.

The cuts are part of the organisation's plans to make at least 189 redundancies in its current workforce of more than 2,500 people.

Ms Selley said: "As a charity we are taking responsible decisions now in order for our sites in Cumbria, including Furness Abbey, Stott Park Bobbin Mill and all of the 400 sites in our care, to thrive into the future."

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