Cathedral's urgent funding appeal backed by MP

Mousumi Bakshi/BBC Inside Peterborough Cathedral, with stained glass windows and chairs facing the alter.Mousumi Bakshi/BBC
Peterborough Cathedral said it might have to make difficult decisions to be financially viable

An MP has called for people to come together to ensure a cathedral's doors stay fully open.

Peterborough Cathedral announced it was "facing a critical challenge" and needed to raise £300,000 by the end of March to remain open seven days a week.

Labour MP Andrew Pakes described the building as the "beating heart of the city".

"It is a little part of our city journey and it is important we stay with it to ensure it is protected for the future," he said.

Mousumi Bakshi People on sitting on chairs on either side of the main room in the Cathedral with the Dean standing in the nave addressing the gathering Mousumi Bakshi
Several people from Peterborough attended the urgent fundraising appeal

The cathedral invited members of the council, local businesses and communities to attend a fundraising meeting on Monday.

Its Dean, the Very Reverend Chris Dalliston, said: "There are all the options on the table - certainly closing the cathedral for at least one or maybe more days, and whether we can continue to make it free as we have really longed to do, are the challenges we face."

Mr Pakes, who attended the event, said: "We came together because we love this building. It is the beating heart of the city and it is our job to stand together to say we support it, and work to ensure it continues to get the funding in future.

"It is a privilege to be in a city where this is a free cathedral. I am going to be campaigning to ensure it remains free for future generations to enjoy."

Angela Errington, who was visiting from Cumbria, said: "I think it is sad. This is a hub for the community. It needs to be supported as much as it can."

'Difficult times'

Toby Wood, vice-chair of the Peterborough Civic Society, said he was "not surprised" to learn of the cathedral's challenges and would lend his support to ensure it stayed open.

"Seems like every big organisation is in difficult times," he said.

"I go there quite a lot. So, to pay to go to the church, then it would be disappointing. But if payment is the only way forward, then I would support it only if it remains open all the time.

"I have always said one of the problems for the cathedral is that it is a bit isolated, particularly in the evenings.

"Recently, they have tried fundraising with quite a few events. It would be nice if it is used more for concerts and shows going forward as well."

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