Family-run Eden Camp says state-backed lenders are not helping in their 'hour of need'

Eden Camp is one of the best preserved prisoner of war camps in the country, with its 34 huts attracting 130,000 annual visitors.

However the family-run museum, which receives no taxpayer support, has had no income since shutting in March because of the pandemic.

Even when it reopens on July 6, there is no certainty that it can raise enough money in the remaining weeks of the season to tide it and its 35 staff over the lean winter season.

Museum Manager Nick Hill said they had been turned down for three Government grants, including the small business grant and the retail, hospitality and leisure grant, because their large site means that they exceed the rateable value set.

They have also tried to raise loans via the Bounce Back and Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan schemes, but have been rejected.

Mr Hill said: "It is very frustrating as the Government has made a lot of noise about getting businesses back on their feet.

"The first lender refused us due to the seasonal nature of our business, even though we submitted all our accounts and our credit rating is 100 per cent.

"The other government-backed lender said because we hadn't been operating the past three months they could not give us any money, which is ridiculous seeing it wasn't our choice not to trade.

"As far as the lenders are concerned there's no risk to them as the Government have given them a 100 per cent guarantee. And they would be getting eight or nine per cent interest back."

The camp was opened in 1987 by businessman Stan Johnson, whose children Howard and Paula now run it.

Mr Hill, who has worked at Eden Camp for 26 years, said they were not prepared to go down "without a fight".

"It's a crying shame, what's happening," he added. "We are confident in the claim that we have the most comprehensive, permanent display of 20th century British military history and 1930s and 1940s social history in the world.

"People know about the Imperial War Museum, the National Army Museum, which receive public funding, but we present more information, more material and stories than they do."

Adding to the stress has been the lack of confirmation - until Monday - over reopening.

Mr Hill said they would aim for a maximum 500 visitors-a-day - half their peak summer numbers - to ensure they can maintain social distancing.

He said: “Unfortunately without visitors in the last three months it has been a little bit dead. It is putting life again into the museum which is fantastic.”

A GoFundMe appeal, set up on behalf of the Camp, has so far raised nearly £3,000, which will help buy essentials like personal protective equipment..

Mr Hill said he hoped people in Yorkshire would support them, adding: "We are proud of our Yorkshire heritage, and over the last 33 years have brought people all over the world to our special part of the UK."

The Treasury says there is no need for lenders to ask for complicated cash-flow forecasts or difficult questions about the future.

A spokesperson said the Bounce Back Loan Scheme was designed to be “easy for businesses to access” adding: "Almost all viable UK-based businesses are eligible to apply for a loan under the scheme, and the loans have been a success in providing firms with vital government-backed finance at a low, affordable rate.

“Approvals are a decision for lenders, and we are working closely with them to ensure the schemes are a success."

Latest figures show more than 800,000 Bounce Back Loans worth over £26 billion have been made to small businesses.

It is not planning to extend the grants scheme beyond the current rateable value thresholds.