£2 Million a Year to Run and a £300,000 Appeal: A Cathedral With 1,400 Years of History Warns It May Not Stay Open Daily

• Peterborough Cathedral launched a £300,000 crisis appeal
• Annual running costs exceed £2 million
• The money is needed by the end of March 2025
• Without it the cathedral may not stay open seven days a week

One of England’s great cathedrals has warned it may have to cut its opening hours unless it raises money quickly, Anglican Ink reported in January 2025.

Peterborough Cathedral launched an appeal to raise £300,000 by the end of March 2025. “Without raising £300,000 by the end of March 2025, it may no longer be able to keep its doors open seven days a week,” the cathedral said. “The annual running costs now exceed £2 million, making community support essential to the Cathedral’s survival.” The money is needed to maintain worship and music, continue educational work and carry out essential repairs.

“This Cathedral has been at the heart of Peterborough and the diocese for nearly 1,400 years,” said the Dean, the Very Rev Christopher Dalliston. “We urgently need your support to keep its doors open and ensure it remains a place of inspiration and sanctuary for all.”

Large historic churches face costs that no congregation can meet alone: heating, lighting, security, insurance, staff and constant repairs to ancient stone and glass. When visitor income or grants fall, even famous buildings can face a crisis.

The appeal shows how much the running cost of a building, not just its capital repairs, shapes a church’s future. A building that costs thousands of pounds a day to keep open needs a reliable income base.

Jamaica’s historic cathedrals and parish churches face smaller but similar pressures. Knowing the true annual cost of keeping a building open, and building a mix of income from members, visitors, events, rentals and grants, can prevent sudden crises. Heritage churches may also be able to attract tourism and community use that helps pay their way.

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