National Lottery Heritage Fund Business Planning Consultant – top tips
Heritage ‘businesses’?
In many ways even the term business planning is anomalous for some heritage sites, places of worship, parks and museums as they do not consider themselves to be businesses. However, it is critical that operations have a sound financial footing and that the activity programme and momentum achieved through the initial funded phase can be maintained into the long term. Heritage properties, parks, museums, places of worship, and other sites need to understand the financial security of the activity and plan accordingly.
Income generation
Even if not specifically considered a business then there is still a need to understand opportunities for income generation. These could range from direct sales via catering, retail and meetings room hire through to chargeable events, licensed activities and hire of facilities for functions. Other revenue generation could include sources such as income from the hire of facilities for filming.
A heritage park in the Metropolitan Borough of Knowsley in Merseyside – looking to balance community facilities with opportunities for income generation
Close liaison with Activity Planner
On National Lottery Heritage Fund projects it is vital that the Business Plan and Activity Plan process are managed closely together. Strong market data is needed to determine priority audiences and there is a need to ascertain likely levels of future use by different market groups. The business plan must align closely with the Activity Plan. It is important that full use is made of the activity programme during the early period of the project to market test a range of potential activities and income generating opportunities and lead to a sustainable operational model beyond the National Lottery Heritage Fund grant funding period.
Working effectively with Friends and Volunteers
Volunteers and friends often play a key role in a broad range of heritage sites. It is important that the Friends Group or other volunteer body is fully integrated into the site management structure to ensure clear and smooth organisation and governance. When preparing the business plan, the support in kind needs to be reflected accurately as part of the financial contribution to the project.
Working with volunteers at the National Brewery Centre (formerly the Bass Museum). Managed by our sister company from 2010 to 2022
Work in progress, not a fixed document
Finally the business plan should not be seen as a one off document. It must be a tool for the site management which shapes decisions and targets but is also reviewed and updated on a regular basis.
Support for National Lottery Heritage Fund business plans
To discuss business planning requirements please contact Richard Linington at richard@pslplan.co.uk or on 07866 742628. Your can find out more about some of the Lottery projects we have worked on here.