Cathedral staff warned of job cuts in wake of virus

Canterbury Cathedral has warned staff it will have to make job cuts in a bid to counter a “substantial loss of income” due to the coronavirus. Bosses at the world-famous landmark say they are facing a “perfect storm” of financial threats and will therefore undertake a restructuring process this month.

Its 300-strong workforce - of which 90% were originally furloughed - will need to be cut back, they admit.

The Cathedral - which is financially independent - closed its doors to the public in March and waived rents for dozens of its commercial tenants despite previous fears such action would “risk bankruptcy”.

Bosses say they must “take action now to secure the Cathedral’s longer-term survival”. “Despite halting all but essential spending and pursuing savings wherever possible, as our main source of expenditure, we must reduce staff costs and, ultimately, the number of people who work with us,” they said. “[The Cathedral] has received no income from visitors, events, our shop or hotel guests since March, and it will be many months before these areas start to produce income for us, and even longer before that gets close to previous levels.

“In addition, our revenue from rental properties and other investments has been impacted since lockdown and will continue to be hard hit by the longterm impact of coronavirus on the wider economy.”

The restructure will be conducted as soon as possible to “minimise the period of uncertainty for everyone”.

Jobs are at risk at the Cathedral