HERITAGE FACT SHEET 1: the value of the historic environment

The value of the historic environment

We value the historic environment in Britain – as a leisure activity, for its contribution towards making places attractive to live and work, for its historic and cultural interest, its importance to tourism and for its role in local and national identity. This value is reflected in the premium that many people are prepared to pay to live in historic houses and areas, the membership of heritage organisations and the hundreds of community groups which exist to safeguard local heritage.

  • 7 out of 10 adults in England have visited a heritage site in the last 12 months[1]
  • In 2009, membership of heritage organisations reached more than four million[2]
  • There are around 500,000 heritage volunteers in England. Each year, heritage volunteers gave 58.5 million hours which equates to a notional value of £335 million[3]
  • 53.7% of adults in England state that they live in a historic house or area[4]
  • Nine out of ten (92.7%) agree that when improving local places, it is worth saving their historic features [5]
  • The value people and organisations can be seen in the level of private giving to the heritage sector. In 2008/09 heritage organisations received £225.2 million in private investment, £18 million more than in 2007/08 and 34% of all private investment in the cultural sector, the highest of any art form.[6]
  • Heritage organisations accounted for over half (52%) of all individual giving to the cultural sector in the UK, totalling £199 million per annum in 2007/08. Private investment in heritage sites continues to grow and in 2007/08 was 25% higher than in 2006/07.[7]

Economic impact of heritage

Heritage plays an important role in times of recovery

Heritage provides perspective and stability, helping us see beyond the current economic crisis. It reminds us of the long term and what we value as a society. It communicates the values of the past, negotiates the values of the present and helps us identify things that we think will be important in the future. Its popularity and importance to people is seen in the visitor figures for 2009.

  • There were three quarters of a million more visitors to EH properties in the year to October 2009, 16% up on the previous year’s total, bringing the total number of EH visitors to 5.4 million.[8] The number of paid visits to National Trust properties rose from 11.9 million to the end of September 2008 to 14 million to the end of September 2009, an increase of 18%[9]

Tourism has been identified as a key business sector in the next decade, with the historic environment as perhaps its most important components.

  • It is estimated that tourism economy will grow by 2.6% a year between 2009 and 2018, higher than the 0.8% forecast for manufacturing and similar to retailing and construction. [10]
  • History/Built heritage is the strongest product driver in most overseas markets, and has been found to be the highest rated attribute in the perception of Britain as a tourist destination.[11]

The heritage sector provides a diverse range of employment and business opportunities across the country.

The heritage sector is diverse, employing businesses and individuals with a wide range of skills and knowledge. Visitor attraction staff, archaeologists, conservators, historians, craftspeople, planners, marketing specialists all contribute towards maintaining and promoting our historic environment.

  • 113,000 jobs are directly sustained through the heritage tourism economy in the UK; another 157,000 jobs are accounted for indirectly by heritage tourism[12].
  • In 2007, a construction workforce of approximately 109,000 were directly involved in work on pre-1919 buildings. By 2012, it is predicted that this will increase by over 4,000[13]

The historic environment provides employment and business opportunities throughout the country, in some of England’s most deprived areas

  • In the South West, Cumbria, North East and Wales it is estimated that each job in the National Trust generates between five and nine additional full time equivalent jobs[14]
  • Just under half of Heritage Lottery Fund (HLF) awards have gone to areas of high deprivation and two thirds of HLF expenditure to the 25% most deprived areas in the UK[15].

The repair and maintenance of existing historic building stock is an important part of the construction industry, gaining increasing importance in the current economic climate.

Repair and maintenance is a vital part of our construction industry, accounting for just under half (43%, £47.2 billion) of all construction output in 2008.[16] Much of this output will be on pre 1919 houses which make up an estimated fifth of all dwellings in England.[17]

  • Construction value output for all repairs and maintenance has grown in 2009, and by the 3rd quarter was 10% higher than in the previous quarter. In contrast output in new housing continue to falls [18]
  • An estimated 15%, or £7 billion, of total repair and maintenance output in Britain is linked to work carried out on pre 1919 buildings[19]

Investment in the maintenance and repair of existing housing stock sustains a significantly more direct construction jobs than the equivalent investment in new build. It also supports a far more varied spectrum of businesses, including a higher proportion of SMEs.

  • Every £1 million of output in repair and maintenance of housing creates 55% more direct construction labour input than £1 million of output for new build (both private and public).[20]
  • Approximately a third (32%) of all value work done by private contractors in repair and maintenance is produced by companies employing 13 people or less. The equivalent for new build was 11%.[21]

Providing people with the skills to get back to work and improve employment opportunities

We are committed to providing employment and training opportunities for those worse hit by the current recession, including young people. Opportunities are available in a wide range of areas, reflecting the diverse nature of our sector.

  • Under the “Skills for the Future” programme, HLF has committed £5 million to fund up to 1,000 paid training opportunities, including many young people[22] and English Heritage has secured funding from the Future Jobs Fund for employment opportunities for up to 142 unemployed young people to work at the National Monuments Record Centre in Swindon[23].

There is a strong tradition of volunteering in the heritage sector; from conservation, to membership of local amenity societies to involvement in running historic sites. Many volunteering opportunities help develop the skills needed to be an effective member of the workforce.

  • Heritage volunteers are often part of a team who have to make management decisions (36.1% are on a committee), plan and deliver complex projects (40.8% have helped run an activity or event) and undertake administrative activities (20.7%). All of these are transferable skills which are relevant to the workplace[24]
  • Over half (53%) of volunteers on a selection of HLF projects had been able to transfer these types of skills to other areas of their lives and nearly a third to their professional lives. [25]

The heritage sector’s long standing partnership with the construction industry is equipping people with the skills needed to work on historic buildings and ensure the long-term future of our historic buildings.

  • The Traditional Building Skills Bursary is a £1.2 million scheme offering bursaries and work-based training placements throughout England and Wales. Running for four years until 2010 the scheme addresses some of the currently recognised skills shortages and gaps within the traditional crafts and built heritage sector.

Contributing to the Climate Change agenda

The existing building stock is vital to our response to climate change. Two thirds of all dwellings likely to be in existence by 2050 will have been built before 2005[26] and it will take between 130 and 250 years to replace the existing housing stock with new build[27].

Heritage-led regeneration is a success story

Heritage-led regeneration is often a very successful way of regenerating towns and villages. Unlike other types of regeneration, heritage-led regeneration is not limited in where it can take place. Heritage exists all over England, from rural areas to our urban centres, and a heritage regeneration project can be small scale involving the regeneration of historic gardens and churches to much larger scale such as the regeneration of Brighton sea front or Grainger town in Newcastle. Heritage projects also tend to allocate a higher proportion of project spend to labour, leading to higher indirect impacts for local communities. Heritage-led regeneration projects have many lasting economic and social benefits for individuals and communities. These are highlighted below.

Economic benefits

  • Heritage regeneration projects are often very good at drawing in additional funding. One study, using a series of successful case studies, found that on average £10,000 of heritage investment levered in £26,000 match-funding from the public and private sector.[28]
  • It is estimated that in 2007, HLF projects supported 2,200 job years in local economies (within 10 miles) and enhanced local GVA by £91 million. On an ongoing basis they support 1,277 FTE jobs locally and add £33 million in GVA to the local area. [29]
  • Heritage projects have a positive impact on local communities. Approximately 50% of goods and services on HLF projects were sourced from local areas and a further 26% within the region.[30]
  • Heritage Economic Regeneration Schemes (HERs) have been very successful at increasing or improving commercial floorspace and creating or safeguarding jobs. For example the Winner Street HERS scheme in Paington lead to 2,482 squared metres of commercial floorspace improved, 10 vacant commercial buildings brought back into use, 32 jobs created and 29 jobs safeguarded as well as providing 210 construction job weeks. It also directly contributed towards private sector housing development which has brought in a new market for the local businesses. [31]
  • 50% of employers in the Forest Gate HERs area employed more people after completion of the scheme.[32]
  • The Townscape Heritage Initiative (THI) evaluation showed that five years on from receiving THI funding vacancy rates in many of the areas had fallen significantly.[33]

Social and community benefits

  • In Bloxwich, there was a 52% improvement on how residents scored where they lived after receiving HLF Townscape Heritage Initiative Funding.[34]
  • 31% of local residents said that Heritage Lottery funding in their area had improved their quality of life.[35]

International reputation and tourism

Heritage is a key part of our international reputation – it attracts tourists and investors. It is a significant employer and generator of wealth.

  • Heritage tourism isan industry worth £12.4bn a year to the UK[36] and taking into account indirect economic benefit heritage tourism is responsiblefor £21bn of UKGDP annually.[37]

Our historic environment is a key driver in attracting inbound tourists to England. It is also a consideration when British people decide where to holiday in Britain.

  • History/Built heritage is the strongest product driver in most overseas markets, and has been found to be the highest rated attribute in the perception of Britain as a tourist destination.[38]
  • Over 80% of potential tourists would visit historic monuments and buildings in Britain, making it the highest ranked activity.[39]
  • In 2006, 30% of inbound visitors planned to see famous castles, churches, monuments and historic houses. This is more than theatre, opera, ballet and concerts (10%), Sport’s activities (11%) and museums and art galleries (23%). Only shopping is more popular[40].
  • Approximately 30% of day visitors to the North West are motivated by heritage[41]

The UK is a world leader in the heritage sector, with its skills, knowledge and expertise sought after across the world.

  • British expertise has been sought on a number of projects across the globe, including providing support on the archaeological museum at Carthage to the redevelopment of Valencia’s historic Art-Nouveau style market[42].

Our heritage is an important factor in attracting businesses and economic migrants to the UK.

  • Quality of life factors, including quality of place, appear increasingly important in attracting private sector investment and skilled workers. Distinctive architectures, cultural facilities, diverse housing stock and access to natural amenities are all important factors which skilled workers consider when choosing where to work and live[43]

The heritage sector is playing a key role in the Cultural Olympiad 2012. Major events such as Discovering Places will introduce more people, including young people, to the historic environment.

Building stronger and more cohesive communities

The historic environment makes people feel more positive about where they live. It creates distinct and special communities, places where people want to work and live. Heritage develops people’s sense of place and local belonging which helps create more cohesive communities.

  • 85% of people surveyed felt the quality of public space and the built environment had a direct impact on their lives and the way they feel about where they live.[44]
  • Nine out of ten people (92.7%) agree that when improving local places, it is worth saving their historic features.[45]
  • Adults who live in more historic areas have a statistically significant stronger sense of place, regardless of socio-economic status and after controlling for other factors know to impact on sense of place[46]
  • Nearly three quarters of local residents believe that investment in the historic environment makes local areas more attractive and 61% say it makes an area a better place to live[47]
  • Three quarters (72%) of local residents said that heritage supported by HLF makes their area more attractive and 58% said that it was important in making my part of the UK special.[48]

The historic environment also brings people and communities together. This can be through heritage activities, or by simply providing safe and accessible places where people can meet.

  • 99% of HLF volunteers met new people through an HLF project with 37% socialising outside of the project.[49]
  • In the North West, 98% of faith buildings had rooms used by the local community and 60% ran social activities for young people and children. Four out of ten of these buildings were listed and a significant higher proportion will be historic;[50]

The historic environment contributes towards people’s sense of identity. It is a shared currency which brings individuals, communities and groups together and can help over come inter-generational and cultural differences.

  • Adults and young people who can cite a building as unique or special in their area have a stronger sense of place, regardless of socio-economic status and after controlling for other factors know to impact on sense of place.[51]
  • Seven out of ten adults (71.7%) agree that they are interested in the history of the place they live in.[52]
  • 33% of HLF volunteer respondents agreed that the project had increased feelings of belonging to their local area and 37% that it had increased their sense of efficacy[53]
  • Over 50% of project managers felt their HLF projects led to people having a greater understanding of their own identity (58%) and of others’ identities (62%).[54]
  • Three quarters of all HLF projects surveyed in 2006 and 2007 reported that their project “strengthens the bonds of trust within of between communities” and 60% that it improves inter-generational understanding.[55]

Issues concerning the historic environment are an important avenue through which people become engaged in local decision making.

  • There are over 1,000 civic societies in the UK, involving local people in decisions about their area. [56]
  • 27% of all National Trust volunteers have been involved for more than ten years and 45% volunteer because they are interested in a particular site, usually local sites, which help develop their links to the local community.[57]

Heritage makes us feel better, it inspires us

Heritage is inspiring, beautiful and uplifting. That is why so many people visit and volunteer for the historic environment

  • There were at least 44 million visits to heritage sites in England in 2008[58]
  • Seven out of ten adults in England visited a heritage site in the last 12 months. This equates to 28.4 million adults. In addition 65.8% of young people aged 11-15, (2.1 million young people), and 72.1% of 5-10 year olds, (2.5 million children) had visited a heritage site in the last 12 months.[59]
  • 8 out of 10 would recommend the last site they visited to a friend or family.[60]

The historic environment contributes towards our well-being. It helps us feel more positive, happy and connected to others.

  • One in four people rated their latest visit to a heritage site as brilliant (ten out of ten) and seven in ten people rated their last visit at least eight out of ten.[61]

The historic environment is attractive to older people, offering opportunities for volunteering and taking an active role in their local community.

  • A third (31.3%) of all heritage volunteers are 65 years old and older[62]. In contrast only 20% percentage of all people who undertake formal volunteering are over 65 years old[63]. The benefits for older volunteers include opportunity to meet people, undertake a challenge and keep active and healthy.

A learning experience

The heritage sector provides excellent formal and informal learning experiences for all age groups. Within a context of fewer overall education visits overall, the sector has looked to new innovative ways to deliver learning experiences.

  • There were at least 1.6 million school visits to historic environment sites in England in 2008.[64]
  • A much higher number of children visit heritage sites outside of formal educational opportunities. For example 72% of all 5-10 year olds have visited a heritage site outside of school time in the last 12 months.[65]
  • There is universal consensus on the value of educating children about heritage with 95% of adults agreeing with the statement 'it is important to educate children about heritage.'[66]
  • Engaging Places, a website offering resources for teaching and learning through the built environment received approximately 60,000 hits in its first six months of operation.[67]
  • 93% of visitors to a sample of Heritage Open Days (HODs) agreed that they had learnt something new from visiting the site.[68]

Heritage is accessible to all

Heritage is affordable and great value for money, with many historic places free to visit.

  • At least one third of historic attractions are free. The actual figure is likely to be much higher.[69]
  • Leisure/theme parks which charge are 30% more expensive than historic houses/castles which charge.[70]

The historic environment provides a varied offer; ranging from historic houses and towns to sites of industrial heritage, or urban social history.