Dumfries House in financial struggle

Ben Riley-Smith

Reporter

Thursday 24 January 2013

It would appear that even a prince can't guarantee you good fortune.

Dumfries House: saved by Prince Charles

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Ben Riley-Smith

Dumfries House, the 18th-century stately home saved by Prince Charles in 2007, has had a disappointing financial year according to new figures that suggest the Ayrshire tourist and heritage attraction has yet to become self-supporting.

Records lodged at Companies House show gross profits for the Dumfries House Trust Trading Ltd were £54,846 in the year to the end of March 2012 – a stark drop from £270,724 the previous year. Escalating costs and a 25% fall in turnover are behind the low profits, with the company making an operating loss of £42,696 in the year to May 2012 due to almost £100,000 of "administrative expenses". However, a stronger performance is expected next year with creation of a B&B business and two self-catering holiday lets. A spokesman said a difference in the presentation of figures may explain the drop in profitability, but admitted the project still relied on fundraising. "We've always envisioned that charitable fundraising would support Dumfries House while capital expenditure and works are completed," she said, pointing to projects such as the regeneration of a garden. "Like any start-up operation the functions, education and visitor proposition has not yet realised its full potential. There is no doubt that the regeneration of Dumfries House has been beneficial to east Ayrshire and the local community."

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Dumfries House in financial struggle

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