Publication of Our 2021 Annual Report

You can read the report here: 2021 MTT Annual Report

OUR 2021 HIGHLIGHTS:

• When Covid-19 hit and the country entered the first lockdown in March 2020, we closed our doors to the public and took steps to support our team members. We used this time to identify the impact we want to make in the new world in which we will find ourselves, to reaffirm our purpose as a social enterprise, and lay the groundwork for the long-term health of the Charity and our National Outdoor Centre.
• We provided leadership in our sector during the year and used the period of lockdown to negotiate business growth and partnership opportunities, aligned to our strategic intent. Mandatory closure presented opportunities to improve our facility and carry out repairs and refurbishments, undertaken with Sport England’s backing.
• We collaborated closely with the National Governing Bodies (NGBs) across our sports, and other sector bodies, and used our inhouse expertise to design how we could safely deliver courses; looking at new methods of delivery to allow for social distancing measures. Groups including the BMC, MTUK&I, MTE, British Canoeing and British Cycling, and their respective partner forums, were incredibly supportive.
• In a typical year unaffected by Covid, we engage with more than 10,000 unique paying visitors. The offer is diverse with customers spanning individuals, families, groups, schools, companies and public sector organisations. In 2018/19 there were almost 800 different centre events that included some 694 courses, yielding over 4,800 course places and over 14,000 student days.
• Over the course of July 2020, we moved from having no bookings to back up to over 100 per week. During the period we were able to open we operated at about 50% of normal revenue levels which compared well with Sport England’s own industry average of 30%, taken from across the sector.
• Our revenue success in the period was driven by good social media coverage, a structured, project managed re-opening, and most importantly by concentrating on products selected and positioned as COVID-friendly. This included Epic Adventure Days, Family Adventures, private 1:1 tuition, open water swimming and the growth of introductory level courses.
• We were also able to deliver Outdoor Workers Safety training, providing continued support to the Met Police, RSPCA, and AAIB with continued professional development courses to maintain skills and safety techniques to operate safely in challenging terrain. This includes operating on sea cliff, remote mountainous terrain, and the winter environment.
• During the year, new and strengthened relationships have formed with Sport Wales, Welsh Government, UK Government (Robin Millar, MP for Aberconwy) and the business community – specifically the tourism sector and related trade bodies including Go North Wales, Welsh Association of Visitor Attractions (WAVA), North Wales Tourism and Visit Wales. As the largest employer in Snowdonia National Park we are a critical voice in the business landscape, and were invited to roundtables with Welsh Assembly members (Darren Millar AM, Janet Finch-Saunders AM) and other business leaders. We have sought to strengthen our relationship with Capel Curig Community Council, who have confirmed their significant support for the Centre; and who encouraged us to open as soon as possible, and develop stronger connections that provide support for local citizens, and the growth of events at PYB.
• Conversations with Natural Resources Wales and the Snowdonia National Park Authority (SNPA) are ongoing, but we are actively pursuing new ways of operating in the park alongside these organisations, which promote environmental sustainability. We liaised with the SNPA over concerns about the impact the easing of lockdown would have to a) local communities (relating to Covid-19) and b) the environment, given the surge in visitors seen immediately after easing of lockdown travel restrictions. We promoted the importance of going into the outdoors in a safe, managed way, and protecting the environment.
• Looking forward, our 3-year Strategic Business Plan has evolved to confront and conquer the challenges of Covid-19. The pandemic has increased the need to help more people to get active in the outdoors; we are perfectly positioned to make outdoor adventure accessible and safe to everyone from all walks of life regardless of age, gender, race, background or ability.