Dean predicts 'continuing challenge' to protect Peterborough Cathedral future
A five-year masterplan has been set up
The Dean of Peterborough said ensuring the future of the city's cathedral remains a "continuing challenge".
After raising £300,000 to keep the building open seven days a week without the need to charge visitors, the cathedral wants to work on a five-year masterplan.
"It's a continuing challenge, the costs don't go away and we're still working hard to continue to build on that fundraising campaign to draw in people as long-term supporters of the cathedral," the Very Reverend Chris Dalliston, the cathedral's Dean, said.
"Nothing comes easy at the moment and I think a lot of heritage sites are also finding it hard to keep making ends meet, but we keep working at it."
Since the campaign - which started in January - the cathedral said the money has been used to bring in choristers as well as start repairs to the building.
It comes as the Grade I listed Laurel Court, next to Peterborough Cathedral, was awarded more than £136,000 for repairs as part of the Heritage at Risk Capital Fund, led by Historic England.
"We'd like to see it not just propped up, but to develop it, use it as a cultural or music hub, using some of our musicians to bring singing to the wider community," Revd Dalliston said.
"I think we sometimes don't celebrate ourselves; we need to rebuild our footfall, which went through Covid and is still not great for the city centre."
The cathedral said more than 1,300 supporters backed its campaign, which since then, has had to cut budgets on areas such as on activities.
It has recently been awarded £299,432 by the Cambridgeshire & Peterborough Combined Authority to replace its lighting system.
"We're trying to build our connections to the wider world so people can see the cathedral and Peterborough as a real destination," Very Revd Dalliston said.
"We're people of faith, we never lose heart, we're always confident about that and if our values remain strong, I'm sure we can keep that momentum going into the future."