Visitors
With Liverpool’s Birthday celebrations in 2007, followed by this year's Capital of Culture 2008,
The welcome we give visitors provides the greatest opportunity for mutual sharing of the Christian Gospel. Contrary to popular opinion Liverpool Cathedral receives no regular financial support from Statutory Funds (governmental sources). This means that visitors are crucially important to the Cathedral’s economic well being, as a major source of income, as well as a major mission opportunity.
Change
Facilities at the Cathedral have been improved to make the building even more fit for even more purposes to take us through the 21st Century and beyond. During 2005 and 2006 we have worked extremely hard to deliver a huge range of improvements; the first fruits of which were the opening of new Mezzanine Cafe Bar and new Cathedral Shop in December 2006. In early 2007 we released the new Welfare block with 18 (much needed!) new toilets and the interactive Visitor Experience which has been received with great praise! The Refectory Restaurant also reopened after an extensive refit at the end of February 2007.
Visitor Centre- Refurbished Shop
The Cathedral is now managing its own retail experience. Our fabulous contemporary shop is now open to the public, specialising in Christian Literature and increasing its range of Fair Trade goods and gifts unique to Liverpool Cathedral. Books remain our largest product group.
Visitor Centre- Mezzanine Café Bar
This is the most atmospheric way to meet and eat! Situated above the refurbished shop is a well lit, modern Café Bar serving Fair Trade beverages, 'bean to cup' coffees and delicious snacks throughout the day. Designed to highlight the architecture, this stunning café is taking its customers quite literally to new levels!
Visitor Centre- The ‘Cathedral experience Tour’ and exhibition
Incorporating archive material, the main tour is an acoustic journey with commentary, music and dramatic effects. Through this unique tour, visitors may choose various options to learn about the people and the rich history of the Cathedral in a wholly interactive way, guiding them through the Cathedral, around each of the 12 information stations and using personal mp3 players. The tour is available in Polish, French, German, italian and Spanish with Japanese and Chinese translations the new additions in August 2008. For those visitors not wishing to participate in the sound tour, the individual stations also include text information panels.
Visitor Centre- The Experience Film and Theatre
The Theatre is a compact multi-purpose space where visitors are able to view an intense theatrical photorealistic film, literally flying through Merseyside and the Cathedral. Archive material together with leading edge immersive visualization software has been used to produce this inspiring film. The 20 seat theatre is accessible by lift as well as stairs and offers a wide screen panoramic display and digital surround sound. This space may also be used by clients as a function room for media presentations, please contact our Director of Hospitality eryl.parry@liverpoolcathedral.org.uk for business enquiries.
Refurbishing the Refectory
The Refectory is well known and well loved and provides a homely atmosphere. After more than 20 years since the last refurbishment, we are have upgraded the facilities of both the dining area and also the kitchens. The overall atmosphere and environment has changed and is ready to accomodate the new season!
Toilets
A new ‘Welfare’ block has been constructed to accommodate much needed additional W C facilities. They have been a noticably useful facility for the Cathedral, advancing the existing standard of basic amenities and ensuring modern day provision for all of our visitors, including those attending functions and events.
Disability Provision
Our aim is to ensure that the Cathedral and the Visitor Centre is accessible to all. An access report carried out in 2004 concluded that there was a need for improvements to facilities within and physical access to the Cathedral, so we are working hard to implement its recommendations. The new lift facilities have improved access for a wide range of visitors and user groups, including those people with limited mobility, people in wheelchairs, people with young children and older people. Chair lift access to and from the Well area has now been completed, and there is a BSL and titled tour available as an alternative to the audio tour, on portable DVD.
New sound system
Sound reproduction in such an enclosed ‘great space’ needs to complement the acoustics already available. New equipment has been installed to improve sound reproduction at regular worship services and to support the growing programme of Cultural and Christian events.
The total cost of the Visitor Centre project, across all of its phases is in excess of £3.5m
Liverpool Cathedral is proud to boast the support of ERDF Objective 1 funding for the Visitor Centre, providing us with a grant of upto 40% of the project cost and we have made an excellent start with fundraising through the generosity of local and National Trusts, individuals and companies. We do, however, still have a big task ahead to achieve our ambitious targets. Please do help us if you can.
"I would like to show my support"
All of these developments have been partly funded as a Merseyside Objective One Project by ERDF