Redundancies at Hepworth Gallery in Wakefield after income hit by Covid closures

Jobs have been lost at one of Wakefield's biggest tourist attractions, the local council has said.
The attraction opened in 2011.The attraction opened in 2011.
The attraction opened in 2011.

The Hepworth Gallery opened to the public in 2011, but like most attractions the art venue has haemorrhaged income as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.

As a result of the repeated closures imposed on it, some staff have been made redundant, it was revealed for the first time on Wednesday.

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Speaking at Wakefield Council's annual budget meeting, Cabinet member for culture Jacquie Speight said that the Hepworth "has had very little income from visitors" since Covid struck.

She added: "It has been closed in line with government guidelines. It's had to make redundancies."

The Hepworth's management and the council have been contacted for further details about the job losses.

Coun Speight made her comments after the council's Conservative opposition called again for the authority to cut its grant funding to the Hepworth.

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Tory councillors have said previously that the gallery has not improved business in the city centre and that slashing the funding will save taxpayers £125,000 a year.

But Coun Speight said: "Whipping away the concession in this way could affect its stability very seriously, which would have financial consequences for the council.

"It brings significant investment into our district."

Local Democracy Reporting Service