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Cathedrals Count

15 December 2004

Released by English Heritage

CATHEDRALS COUNT

- Thought-provoking new research reveals the economic and social value of England’s Anglican cathedrals -

                       

New research has revealed that nearly nine million people visited England’s Anglican cathedrals in 2003 – two million more than visited Blackpool Pleasure Beach, five million more than went on the London Eye and almost twice as many as visited the British Museum in the same year. This is just one of many compelling findings in a report on the value of England’s cathedrals which is launched today (15 December 2004) as part of Heritage Counts, an annual audit of the historic environment carried out by English Heritage on behalf of the sector. 

The research, which was commissioned jointly by English Heritage and the Association of English Cathedrals, provides the first comprehensive evidence of the substantial economic and social contribution made by cathedrals in their local communities. Cathedrals are first and foremost places of worship, and well recognised as places of great spirituality and beauty, but until now little consideration has been given to the boost that their presence gives to the local economy and the range of opportunities they offer for education, events and volunteering.  

Simon Thurley, Chief Executive of English Heritage, said: “Our cathedrals are at the very heart of England’s heritage and, as this new study shows, their contribution reaches far beyond bricks and mortar. In an increasingly complex world, these great edifices are vital forces for social cohesion and focal points for both celebration and mourning, not just in their cities, but in the large areas they serve.”

The Very Revd Colin Slee, Dean of Southwark and a member of the Association of English Cathedrals Executive, said: “We welcome this report which is published during our busiest time of the year! It underlines the key role played by England’s 42 Anglican cathedrals in the nation’s life.  It shows the enormous economic benefit that English cathedrals provide for society – in addition to their vital spiritual and community role.

“In fact, more detailed research by the Church of England - which includes, for example, Westminster Abbey - indicates that across all the cathedrals in England the number of visits in 2003 was as high as 12.5 million."

Highlights of the research:

  • Visitors attracted to an area by the presence of a cathedral spend £91 million in the local economy per year. When the amount cathedrals themselves spend on goods, services and employment is taken into account the figure rises to £150 million per year.
  • The 42 Anglican cathedrals account collectively for the direct employment of 1,885 full time workers. Through spending in the local economy they support 5,500 workers in total.
  • Cathedrals provide huge opportunities for volunteers and benefit significantly from their time and skills. The survey suggests that the number of cathedral volunteers is in excess of 12,000. This is equivalent to over 500 full time employees and is more than the total number of volunteers for the RSPB across the UK.
  • The cathedrals spend approximately £25.9 million per year on wages and salaries.
  • Cathedrals spend £11 million per year on repairs and maintenance, much of it raised from the public.
  • Cathedrals are open 365 days a year. They are open to all and have more contact with non-churchgoers than any other part of the Church.
  • More than 300,000 schoolchildren benefited from organised educational visits to cathedrals in 2003.
  • All but five of the smaller cathedrals have a designated education officer.
  • All cathedrals have, on average, between three and five special events (concerts, plays, lectures, art exhibitions etc) per week. More than 50% reported an increase in the number of events they hold.
  • Almost 50% of the cathedrals reported an increasing trend in congregation size with attendance at its highest on Sundays.
  • An average of 23 regular services takes place at each cathedral every week and an increasing number of requests for special services were reported.

The report concludes that there is a pressing need to reinforce these findings with more in-depth research on the economic and social impact of Anglican cathedrals in England. It suggests that future research should focus on the characteristics of visitors to cathedrals, such as age and nationality, for which there is currently a lack of information.

While many people have intuitively understood the value of cathedrals, until now their wider social contribution has been largely overlooked. For the first time, this new research puts figures on the significant economic and social contribution made by cathedrals locally and nationally. It demonstrates the need to treasure and protect these great buildings, so that they can maintain their invaluable contribution to the  nation’s life.

ENDS