Price rises fear over £25,000 shortfall at Shropshire farm
A tourist attraction in Shropshire could raise admission prices by up to 20 per cent next year after bosses projected a £25,000 shortfall from this year's takings.
Acton Scott Historic Working Farm and Museum near Church Stretton expects its turnover for 2012/13 to come in at £271,000, which is £25,000 under budget. Bosses say there is no immediate threat to jobs.
Shropshire Council, which runs the farm, said despite already raising admission costs in the last few years it would have no choice but to hike prices again when the farm reopens after the closed season, in spring next year.
Increases are proposed for the majority of the fees and charges including raising the price of a family ticket for two adults and five children to £33.50 from £27.75 – an increase of 20.7 per cent.
Other increases include individual adult, senior citizen and child tickets which will all rise 25p from £7, £6.50 and £4.50 respectively.
Steep
The figures were revealed in a report put before Shropshire Council's cabinet.
It said: "The museum has already implemented quite steep increases in admission fees year on year so there is minimal scope for any further increases."
Council bosses said the cost of running the farm had increased but new plans were being put in place to help boost visitor numbers and there was no immediate threat to jobs.
Councillor Mike Owen, said: "The increasing costs of running any facility mean that inflationary increases in admission fees have to be considered.
"Although putting prices up is never ideal, we feel that Acton Scott has a unique offer and prices will still compare well against similar facilities elsewhere in the country.
"We are also piloting some new ideas to raise the income coming into the museum, such as a new saleable guidebook for the farm, with a view to introducing some of these next year."
