'Support us' plea as tourist attractions face bleak Christmas
Attractions across the West Midlands today appealed for people to show their support as they face losing lucrative Christmas revenue.
Tourism bosses say they situation is "critical" for many attractions that have already suffered a heavily disrupted summer.
With many now reverting to moving festive events online, a plea was made to members of the public: "We need your support more than ever."
December would usually be many attractions' busiest month outside of the summer holidays, but Covid-19 has forced some local parks, zoos and museums to close or to reopen with restricted numbers.
Popular Christmas canal boat rides to meet Santa were cancelled at Dudley Canal and Tunnel Trust just last week, with CEO Traci Dix-Williams saying she did so "with a heavy heart".
The Santa's Grotto experience at West Midlands Safari Park was also cancelled and Black Country Living Museum has only been able to open its outdoor area over a few select dates close to Christmas Day. And plans for Dudley Zoo's annual Christmas Grotto were shut down several months ago, although it is now open for general visiting with a reduced capacity.
Many attractions received grants in the summer from the government to help them stay afloat.
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But Patrick Harley, a member of the West Midlands Board for Tourism and also leader of Dudley Council, said the crisis remained very real with Christmas revenue being lost.
He said the "number one" focus was ensuring the tourism industry's road to recovery post-coronavirus.
"Our tourism and hospitality businesses need targeted support more than ever – that recognises the challenges Tier 3 restrictions will create over the festive season – a period that is critical to the bottom-line of this sector," he said.
People are being urged to continue to support their favourite attractions throughout the festive season – despite the usual popular events not being on.
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Dudley Zoo director Derek Grove said this was "vital" for businesses to be able to survive.
"Although we have opened, we had to cancel our Santa event months ago as we didn't think we would be able to deliver. We've instead made the zoo a bit festive, but we can't go throwing money at it as we are struggling financially," he said.
"It's vital, throughout this winter period that people still show their support for local attractions. Even though we are open now we have had a very hard year. It's not enough to just think whether we can make it to Easter next year, that won't solve all our problems – most places will be looking to survive to Easter 2022 – as next year will be another uncertain one, a year of recovery." Mr Grove added: “December is the busiest month for most of us in off-season. It’s vital visitors still show their support – as 2021 will be another uncertain year. We need to make sure we can survive.”
Becky Frall, head of visitor attraction at the West Midlands Growth Company, said: “It has been a tough year for many of us and we all need some festive fun to cheer ourselves up over the winter months.
“Although the celebrations will be different this year, an inspirational programme of physical and virtual events has been put together by the region’s innovative tourism and hospitality businesses. All events are Covid risk assessed and will keep families entertained throughout the festive period.”
The Black Country Living Museum is hosting an online event that will take participants on a journey to the past, to show what Christmas used to be like in the Black Country and behind the scenes of its Christmas collections, which are usually unseen to the general public.
Sandwell Museums will be counting down to Christmas on its Facebook page with a range of activities, including kids’ crafts to try at home, a sneak-peek at the museum’s decorations, and informative facts about Christmas traditions past and present.
Bantock House Museum in Wolverhampton has its Hogarth Puppets exhibition – displaying different artefacts and memorabilia from Britain’s best-known puppet company and its most famous TV star, Muffin the Mule.
The New Art Gallery in Walsall has many online workshops during December. The workshops include tutorials on how to create various craft items, drawings and playdough sculptures.
Meanwhile, the Wolverhampton Grand Theatre hopes to physically reopen over Christmas with a number of theatre productions. Dear Santa Live will run from December 20 to 24. And the theatre will also host a new film adaptation of the festive classic A Christmas Carol on December 22 and 23.
