Beefeaters guarding the Tower Of London face redundancies for the first time in their 600-year history as charity battles £100m funding deficit
Beefeaters guarding the Tower of London are facing 'unprecedented' redundancies for the first time in their 600-year history after lockdown left the historic palace with a £100million deficit.
The Tower, which attracted three million visitors last year, making it the UK's most popular paid for attraction, is preparing to make redundancies among the Beefeaters, according to The Sun.
John Barnes, head of Historic Royal Palaces said: 'We are heartbroken that it has come to this. We simply have no choice but to reduce our payroll costs.'
The Tower of London reopened to visitors on July 10, but its iconic Beefeaters could face compulsory redundancies
Beefeater is a nickname for the 37 Yeoman Warders, are the guardians of the Tower and the Crown Jewels, each member is a military veteran with at least 22 years' service.
Each Beefeater lives inside the palace's grounds with their families, this is thought to be the first time there have been cuts within the regiment since Henry VII founded it in 1485.
It's claimed two Beefeaters have already taken voluntary redundancy.
A insider from the Tower told The Sun: 'It's outrageous. They have donated their lives to this country and they are being tossed on the scrap heap.
Historic Royal Palaces is thought to face a £100million black hole in its funding, putting Beefeaters' livelihoods at risk'All the Beefeaters are really cheesed off about the way they are being treated. They help make millions for this country. Presidents, film stars, tourists they all come to have their selfies with them.
The Tower reopened on July 10, with new social distancing measures in place.
But like most tourist attractions and charities, it is feeling the pressure brought about by lockdown halting tourism in the Capital.
The Tower reopened on July 10, with new social distancing measures in place. Last year it welcomed three million visitorsBeefeaters are paid £24,000 a year, while, according to The Sun, Historic Royal Palaces' chief executive John Barnes was paid almost £190,000 in pay and pension contributions last year.
The charity employs around 1,100 people across tourist hotspots such as Kensington Palace, Kew Gardens and Hampton Court Palace.
It is thought all six of the charity's sites face the possibility of redundancies.
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