The heritage sector is among the worst affected by the Covid-19 lockdown and likelihood of ongoing social distancing. Emergency funding packages such as that provided by the National Lottery are providing a lifeline for those running heritage buildings and places cover shorter-term costs, but local authorities now need to develop long-term strategies ensure their heritage sites survive - and even thrive - after the pandemic.

With income from visitors and events on hold and little clarity on when and how venues can re-open, many local authorities will be deeply concerned about the future of their heritage sites. Traditional heritage destination activities such as parking, walking to the visitor centre, buying a ticket, walking around the attraction, consuming refreshments and browsing the ubiquitous gift shop all now present risks.

With the government saying that the UK will need social distancing until at least the end of the year, and the likelihood for this behaviour to be etched into the nations psyche indefinitely, the challenges for the heritage sector are immense.

As daunting as this may sound, though, there are opportunities here. With well-conceived and executed post-pandemic strategies, heritage operators can become more efficient and effective, and offer a better visitor experience, which will, in turn, lead to increased visits.

The solutions will need to combine technology with physical changes. The most forward-thinking heritage operators will use data and apps to stagger and protect visitors, replacing ‘risky’ brochures and audio guides with smart phone features, capturing their preferences and adapting the venue to meet them with a more bespoke offer. They will also up their digital game, providing virtual experiences to drive revenues as well as physical visits.

This transformation will start with reviews of buildings and site layouts. The visitor centre will have to be rethought, and this could go either of two ways. Sites with the luxury of space and, most importantly, money, may expand the visitor centre to provide the extra space that social distancing demands. The enlarged space can be fitted with automatic doors, increased orientation, exhibition and interpretation spaces, enhanced visitor flows and hand-sanitiser stations.

Others, however, may use the opportunity to contract, taking advantage of the reduced need for space and human interaction through pre-paid ticket sales, and virtual orientation and prior planning as assisted by the smartphone app.

Internal spaces present particular challenges in heritage attractions. Their nooks and crannies, precious historic finishes and sumptuous fabrics and furnishings cannot be deep-cleaned appropriately without risking damage. They will need a new level of protection from visitors – which I am sure will please their superannuated invigilators. Face masks for all visitors may therefore become mandatory – so expect the commercially savvy to add to their gift shops a new line in monogrammed face masks. Signage and circulation will also need upgrading to prevent crowding.

Construction operations will be subject to government guidance in the same way as any other site. This will include social distancing, which may restrict or prevent some activities and result in enlarged welfare facilities and / or a reduction in worker numbers.

The net result of this is that construction works will probably become more expensive and take longer. This has particular implications for heritage sites where works generally take place out of season and within narrow timeframes to avoid impacting on visitors and revenue-generating activities. Post-pandemic construction campaigns may have to take place at times with visitors in attendance, or phased over several years.

However, heritage sites may have some advantages; the emphasis on outdoor work on many may ease social distancing restrictions, and fewer visitors at staggered intervals may facilitate works that would previously have been impossible.

Much work can be carried out without visiting site at all. Pre-pandemic, Purcell was already looking at the potential for virtual models to be used for recording and surveying monuments and sites. This would obviate the need for expensive site work by capturing information digitally to enable desk-based assessments to be undertaken, supplemented only where necessary by physical surveys.

Photogrammetry (detailed surveys based on photographs) by drone is an emerging technology, but Purcell is already finding great benefits in using this approach to capture with accuracy existing building facades, and at times internal spaces. Drone surveys are used to take high-resolution digital photographs of the site. These photographs are supplemented by a limited point cloud survey and then a basic 3D model can be created. From this model rectified photographs are generated that present an undistorted image of the survey areas in sufficient detail and resolution to be able to pick out individual features and defects.

The 3D model can also help the operator develop various innovations, such as providing virtual ways for the public to ‘visit’ or plan their physical visit, aided by information ‘tagged’ into the model. Additional revenues could be generated from virtual flaneurs.

While budgets may be tight, it would be a mistake for heritage to sideline the climate agenda now. In fact, Coronavirus has brought into sharp focus how vulnerable many heritage sites are to unforeseen events. Energy costs make up a high proportion of most sites’ costs, so acting now to reduce these will make heritage attractions more economically and environmentally resilient in future. Using local supply chains for materials will also be vital in maintaining construction works during any future lockdowns and minimising financial and environmental costs.

Local authorities can therefore turn the crisis facing their heritage buildings and places into opportunity. By investing in modernisation, innovation and adaptation now, they can look forward to a future of safe and resilient heritage assets with a higher public profile, delivering increased revenues and visitor attendance and enjoyment.

David Hills is a partner at Heritage Consultants, Purcell.