21st March 2020 By Staff Reporter | news@tourismticker.com | @tourismticker
One of the country’s leading attractions has closed its doors with up to 241 jobs now at risk.
Hobbiton Movie Set near Matamata said it would temporarily close from the end of today following a “massive” fall in visitor numbers and to reduce the risk to staff and customers of catching Covid-19.
Russell Alexander
“This is a matter of public health and we felt we had a duty of care to our staff, to any visitors still coming to Hobbiton, to our wider community and New Zealand to minimise travel into the district and exposure to Covid-19,” said the operator’s chief executive, Russell Alexander.
He said the attraction was “devastated to have to take such extreme measures, and conscious of the effects such a change would have not only on staff and their families but also on Matamata and the wider community”.
“[It] was a distressing time for all involved in Hobbiton Movie Set including shareholders, board members, management, staff and their families.”
Alexander said the closure followed “a massive drop-off” in visitor numbers as a result of recent travel restrictions.
A proposed drastic restructure would now be put before all of Hobbiton’s 266 staff next week, which could see up to 241 permanent employees and a number of fixed-term and casual staff being made redundant.
A team of 25 people would remain at Hobbiton to maintain the attraction and ensure it was ready for when it could reopen.
“It is with deep regret that we even consider closing the site and making any of our employees redundant, especially in this current economic environment,” said Alexander.
“These decisions have, by far, been the hardest thing we’ve had to do since Hobbiton Movie Set was established. For a place that has brought so much joy to many, many people, this is a very sad time.”
The company said it would do what it could to help redundant workers and contractors find alternative employment.
“This is a temporary measure until we can reopen Hobbiton and regenerate from there,” said Alexander.
“We will, without doubt, turn to any affected staff who already know how we operate for any reappointment opportunities.”
Around 650,000 people visit the attraction every year.
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