The Cathedrals Fabric Commission for England warmly welcomes the announcement of a new two-year \u00c2\u00a320 million fund for repairs to cathedrals, announced in the Chancellor\u2019s Budget today.<\/p>\n
Cathedrals are a key part of forming the cultural identity of many of England\u2019s cities, and are powerful symbols of our shared history. But this does not mean they are just icons of the past. They are active community hubs and are at the centre of several urban regeneration plans, including Peterborough, Leicester and Blackburn, which are all creating cathedral quarters.<\/p>\n
The Church of England\u2019s 42 cathedrals alone welcome over 11m visitors a year with only 6,000 staff but over 15,000 dedicated volunteers; demonstrating how much cathedrals contribute to, but also depend upon, the communities around them. Church of England Cathedrals generate annually at least \u00c2\u00a3350 million for the economy.<\/p>\n