Paying For Our Parks
The National Parks are exploring new commercial opportunities. How far should they go?
Costing the Earth · BBC Radio 4
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Show Notes
Our National Parks are getting less money from central government - some have seen their grant cut by 40% in the past 5 years. To make up the shortfall, they're exploring new commercial opportunities.
As well as coming up with individual fund-raising plans, the 15 National Parks in England, Wales and Scotland have formed a joint body, called National Parks Partnerships. It's exploring new ways of selling their collective logo: "Britain's Breathing Spaces". The idea is modeled on a similar organisation in the USA, which has done million dollar deals with companies like Disney and Coca-Cola.
So, how far should our parks go down the commercial route? Tom Heap investigates.
Producer: Chris Ledgard.