Sussex Archaeological Society is predicting a deficit of £165,000 in 2010 as a result of the recession.
Chief executive John Manley said the society had faced several problems in recent years, particularly a decline in visitor numbers to its eight sites, which include Fishbourne Roman Palace and Lewes Castle.
"We have been caught by a number of things relating to the recession," said Manley. "We rely on people paying admission, and visitor numbers have been declining for the past couple of years."
Manley said salaries were the society's largest item of expenditure, and seven posts had been shed this year through a combination of redundancy, early retirement and not filling vacant posts. There was disquiet in the summer over the society's plan to cut costs by closing some of its smaller properties.
The proposal was rejected at an extraordinary general meeting of the society, which then forced the trustees to come up with a new strategic plan for the organisation.
Manley said he was hopeful that the society would be able to overcome its financial difficulties and break even in 2011.
He added that visitor figures were up over the summer, and that the Lewes Castle redevelopment, which opened in June, had been particularly successful, with attendances 20 per cent higher than in previous years.
Chief executive John Manley said the society had faced several problems in recent years, particularly a decline in visitor numbers to its eight sites, which include Fishbourne Roman Palace and Lewes Castle.
"We have been caught by a number of things relating to the recession," said Manley. "We rely on people paying admission, and visitor numbers have been declining for the past couple of years."
Manley said salaries were the society's largest item of expenditure, and seven posts had been shed this year through a combination of redundancy, early retirement and not filling vacant posts. There was disquiet in the summer over the society's plan to cut costs by closing some of its smaller properties.
The proposal was rejected at an extraordinary general meeting of the society, which then forced the trustees to come up with a new strategic plan for the organisation.
Manley said he was hopeful that the society would be able to overcome its financial difficulties and break even in 2011.
He added that visitor figures were up over the summer, and that the Lewes Castle redevelopment, which opened in June, had been particularly successful, with attendances 20 per cent higher than in previous years.