The Heritage Alliance (THA) have made a recording of their latest debate available online, along with slides from speakers exploring connotations of the word ‘heritage’, together with research from ComRes exploring what heritage means to the general public.
The Heritage Alliance (THA) writes:
This seventh Heritage Alliance Heritage Debate explored perceptions of the word ‘Heritage’. Is it a help or hindrance in attracting political recognition or private investment or do outdated connotations perpetuate the myths that heritage is a brake on growth or just a warm bathe in nostalgia?
ComRes, the leading research consultancy, launched a new snapshot of public perceptions of the word ‘heritage’. Speakers from the media and development industry discussed perceptions and misconceptions from their own experience. The aim, with the help of the audience, was to find ways to bring the wider public understanding in line with contemporary thinking of our heritage as a dynamic, strategic resource of benefit to government, industry, communities and individuals.
ComRes writes:
What does the ‘h’ word mean for British adults?
- Three quarters of GB adults agree the government has a moral obligation to protect our heritage (74%). A slightly larger proportion agree the UK’s heritage needs to be protected (79%).
- Four in five say the UK’s heritage is important in attracting tourists from over the world (81%).
- Only one in five British adults agree that Heritage is obstructive to future housing developments (18%).
- Similarly, only one in ten (10%) think the UK’s heritage does not contribute anything to the country.
- A majority of Britons say heritage is important to them personally (59%).
- Three in five agree that the Heritage sector makes an important contribution to the creative industries (61%), and three quarters say the UK’s heritage is important for the economy (73%).
View more about the poll and read the full research
View information on the debate and listen to the recording
