Twenty-one staff members have lost their jobs following the permanent shutdown of a Warwickshire horse sanctuary and its visitor attraction.

Redwings Oxhill initiated a consultation process in February citing ‘increasing expenses’.

The charitable organization suspended public access during the assessment period and confirmed this morning (Monday, March 30) that operations would cease permanently.

The facility, situated approximately 20 minutes to the east of Stratford, operates as part of the Redwings Horse Sanctuary network and has welcomed visitors for two decades. The Redwings Mountains location in Forfar, Angus, is also shutting down.

More than one hundred animals will be transferred to Redwings facilities in Norfolk, which remain operational.

Chief Executive Lynn Cutress stated: “This marks an extremely difficult day for our organization. All impacted employees have received access to wellbeing assistance and support in seeking new employment opportunities. I wish to express my sincere gratitude for their tremendous commitment and service to Redwings.

Neither of these facilities accepted rescue cases directly, therefore their closure will not impact our capacity to rescue horses from any location across the nation, as we have consistently done. Redwings remains committed to assisting horses in need, regardless of location. However, closing these sites will generate substantial long-term operational savings, enabling us to secure the future of the over one thousand rescued horses currently in our sanctuary who depend on us daily.

Organizations and charities throughout the nation are experiencing severe challenges – Redwings is certainly not isolated in this regard. Expenses have grown dramatically in recent years, and we have relied on our financial reserves for the past four years to bridge the gap between revenue and costs, a situation we recognized as unsustainable long-term.

We have been conducting a financial review for almost two years, including consulting external specialists, and although we always hoped such significant changes would prove unnecessary, given the current economic conditions and their daily fluctuations, our Board of Trustees was left with no alternative.

Although these closures will make a meaningful impact, we continue to require public support, and any contribution at this time would be deeply appreciated. We want to extend our heartfelt thanks to everyone who has already made donations or offered assistance during this profoundly challenging period. We have been moved by your thoughtful messages and generosity and are extremely thankful.