Eden Project tribute to staff losing their jobs
169 people are leaving the company after it lost £7 million in the first quarter of 2020
Last updated 3rd Sep 2020
169 people are leaving the company after a consultation of six weeks.
The Eden Project's Co-founder Tim Smit has praised those who have lost their jobs for their hard work and dedication saying 'the Eden we see today owes so much to all of you'.
Eden’s Biomes were closed for more than three months during lockdown and reopened on July 4 with significantly reduced visitor capacity due to social distancing.
The closure and restrictions on visitor numbers resulted in Eden Project Ltd losing more than £7 million in the first quarter of this financial year.
It had been feared that up to 220 people could lose their jobs and that this would equate to 150 full-time equivalent roles being made redundant.
But because some staff agreed to reduce hours or share roles, the actual number of redundancies is considerably lower.
“The Eden we see today owes so much to all of you and so much to those who are leaving at the moment.
“No-one can ever take that away from you and nor should they. I am intensely proud of what everybody has achieved.
“We’ll keep our fingers crossed that the economy will recover, that next year will be an absolute triumph.
"All we can do at the moment is link arms in solidarity and say to those who are leaving us, ‘Godspeed and thanks ever so much. Don’t be a stranger. We are one family.’
Eden Project Co-Founder Tim Smit
The Eden Project has told Pirate Fm that the 169 people leaving full and part-time roles amount to 122 full-time equivalent jobs out of the previous total of 375. Of those leaving, 72 took voluntary redundancy.
“We have had to react to the most extraordinary set of circumstances that the pandemic caused. The restructure was to ensure Eden’s survival and without it Eden would not have survived.
“We are gutted that we are losing 169 brilliant people as a result of it. You leave with our love and our gratitude and our friendship and you will be missed enormously.”
Executive Director David Harland
Throughout the restructure period Eden has held a series of employment support events.
It has also told Pirate FM it is keen to keep in touch with colleagues who are leaving the company and share any new opportunities with them.
September 2, 2020