The Eden Project is set to cut about 20 per cent of its jobs in a bid to ensure its long-term stability.

The Cornwall-based tourist attraction, which is run by the Eden Trust charity, said it was opening a 45-day consultation on 80 redundancies across its 400-strong workforce.

The charity said 19 redundancies would include staff members who have chosen to leave through voluntary redundancy or retirement.

It said “every effort will be made to minimise the number of job losses, with alternative roles or retraining offered where possible”. 

The charity said several factors contributed to the decision, including lower visitor numbers.

“The Eden Project is initiating proactive measures to ensure the long-term economic stability of the organisation,” an Eden Project spokesperson said.

“We have explored every option and will create a new structure as a result of considerable economic challenges. 

“A number of factors, including the contraction of the visitor economy across the south west as well as significantly increased costs to businesses, have made this process necessary. 

“This process will set us on a path to continue our vital work as an environmental charity and a thriving visitor destination for our second quarter-century and beyond.” 

The charity recorded income of £35m, according to its latest accounts for the year to the end of March 2023, compared with £36.6m in the previous 12 months.

Its expenditure rose to £34.5m in 2022/23 compared with £29m in 2021/22.