Seven jobs to be axed at Shugborough

Seven posts will be axed at Staffordshire's Shugborough estate due to funding cuts, it can be revealed today, with volunteers expected to plug the gap.

A consultation which started last November with more than 20 staff at the landmark attraction has now concluded with a new staffing structure being put together.

Bosses say they will be looking for people to take voluntary redundancy while others may be re-deployed elsewhere in the council.

Councillor Pat Corfield said the historic estate was operating at a deficit of £1 million each year despite a recent increase in visitor numbers.

While the vast majority of events are expected to go ahead, the popular Christmas candlelit evenings have been thrown into doubt.

"We have to reduce the overall cost base and redirect taxpayers' money towards priority front line services," Councillor Corfield said.

"As part of this we needed to move towards a staffing structure that is more appropriate for a visitor attraction.

"It will mean that there will be a streamlining of the management functions, a reduction in operational staff and phasing in volunteers."

Visitor numbers rose from 113,844 last season to 127,458 this season.

Related stories:

• Cuts fear at Shugborough Estate

• Attraction his by £1m losses as jobs to go

• Shugborough visitor numbers up as UK numbers drop