Rainham Marshes nature reserve could lose its cafe, shop, education programme and visitor centre in proposals from the charity which runs it.

In a document seen by the Recorder, the RSPB has outlined some proposed closures at its Rainham Marshes site - intended to "deliver savings".

The RSPB said in the document that "significant financial challenges", including the cost-of-living crisis, have resulted in "the long-term financial sustainability of the organisation being at risk".

The proposals include the closure of Rainham Marshes' "retail facilities" and "food and beverage facilities", as well as the scrapping of its education programme Schools on Reserves.

Both the cafe and shop facilities are "anticipated" to shut in the new year, "if the proposal goes ahead".

A spokesperson for the charity previously confirmed that the reserve was "under review", but the document seen by the Recorder reveals more on the proposed changes for the site.

When quizzed about the plans by the Recorder, an RSPB spokesperson refused to comment.

They redirected us to quotes previously issued, in which they said: "We continually review our operations to ensure everything we do aligns to our charitable and strategic aims and delivers the most impact for nature possible, within the resource we have.

"We focus on what we do best and where we can do this most effectively.  

"As part of this, we are currently looking at our nature reserve operations, and RSPB Rainham Marshes is part of this review.

"We are currently consulting with colleagues and would like to stress that no decisions or changes have been made yet."

The proposal document, which the Recorder understands was sent to all RSPB volunteers in September, also stated that "visitor operations will cease" at Rainham Marshes should the plans go ahead.

It said: "This will involve the RSPB exiting premises currently managed under lease or agreement or repurposing of RSPB-owned visitor centres."

A "suitable exit strategy" would be determined following a 12-month review, according to this section of the document.

This paper was previously told by the RSPB that there were "no proposals" to close the visitor centre.

The Schools on Reserves programme is also set to be scrapped at Rainham Marshes under the proposals.

A plan to instead "provide free access to certain RSPB sites for entirely teacher-led visits by schools" is outlined in the document, although it is not clear whether Rainham Marshes would be one of these sites.

The RSPB's website currently does not allow schools to make bookings to visit any of its reserves beyond October 31, while the charity carries out a "review" of its "reserve operations".

According to the proposal document, the RSPB is currently reviewing feedback, after collecting volunteer views and comments for just less than a month.

The charity expects to publish an "outcome document" on November 14.

From January 2025 onwards, the charity plans to implement the "agreed model" of changes.

The RSPB manages 243 nature reserves and employs more than 1,000 people across the UK.