Ex MP Gyles Brandreth launched Chester Cathedral’s Project Discovery at an event last week. The Project involves the Cathedral’s expansion into the former Barclays Bank building, creating a new entrance on Town Hall square and providing additional facilities to enhance the visitor experience and connect with city communities.

Expected to open in 2028 the £10.5 million project aims to make the Cathedral more integrated into the city with possible uses for the space including interpretation, visitor and volunteer facilities and events/ gallery spaces. Potential uses for the space and some early possible designs have been produced by university student Ellie Grainger : https://thechesterblog.com/2024/02/13/university-graduate-creates-vision-for-new-cathedral-visitor-spaces/

Local celebrity Louise Minchin also in attendance spoke about her love for Chester:

“I left BBC Breakfast two and a half years ago but I’m not leaving Chester. I absolutely loved it from the first moment I stepped off the train from London. There is something about this city which lies in my heart. The Cathedral is right at the heart of that, not only in a religious way, its the heart of our community. I’ve been to so many incredible events here.” Louise praised 2017’s ARK exhibition (https://thechesterblog.com/2017/06/26/ark-exhibition-at-chester-cathedral/), the Mystery Plays and the recent Lux Muralis installation. She also described the Cathedral as an inspiration for the setting of her forthcoming novel.

Gyles Brandreth, wearing an “I love Chester Cathedral” jumper alongside the Dean Tim Stratford, spoke about his family’s Cheshire roots. When his father brought him to the Cathedral at a young age, Gyles commented that his response was “wow” saying that the Cathedral was “one of the most beautiful places in Europe.”

With the Cathedral receiving 800,000 visitors a year compared to Westminster Cathedral, St Pauls and Canterbury all receiving 1 million a year, Gyles noted:

“The fourth most visited Cathedral in the entire British Isles is Chester Cathedral and we shouldn’t take it for granted it is one of the wonders of our world. The joy of what we’re about to do is we are going to make this place more practical, modern, without disturbing the ancient aspects. We are going to be as modern as tomorrow with a lot of time for yesterday. You’re going to have the tradition but with the kind of facilities you’d expect in a 21st century Cathedral. It needs to be a beating heart in a modern way.” He hopes the development will make the Cathedral more accessible for all, more visible, with additional facilities for volunteers and young people.

With half of the £10.5 million target subject to a bid for National Lottery funding, Gyles appealed for donations and fundraising ideas from the local business community for the exciting development. A statement from Grosvenor indicating their support for the project was also provided on the night:

“We are happy to be working with the Project Discovery Team to understand what possibilities for long term partnering could exist, particularly with regards to the development of an exceptional exhibition space in the heart of Chester and also improved facilities for improved education and engagement facilities.”

For further details see https://chestercathedral.com/support/project-discovery