Cathedral hits back at criticism over Ibiza event

The Reverend Tim Alban Jones said the cathedral's programme of events was vital to its financial stability

A cathedral has hit back at criticism for planning an Ibiza-style music event, saying it wanted to be "inclusive" and that income from events was vital.

Peterborough Cathedral is due to host an Ibiza Classics event on 2 November, featuring DJ and saxophonist duo Lovely Laura and Ben Santiago.

The Reverend Daniel French, vicar of Salcombe in Devon, was quoted in The Sunday Telegraph, saying: "I'm not trying to be a snob, but... an Ibiza night is going to be pumping out a message of hyperindividualism and sexual licence. That doesn't feel quite right."

However, the Reverend Canon Tim Alban Jones, vice dean of Peterborough Cathedral, said: "There's room for everyone here."

It costs £4 a minute to keep the cathedral open

The cathedral said it cost £4 a minute to keep the 900-year-old building open, and that music events and exhibitions were vital to generate income.

The Revd Alban Jones said: "We need to pay for salaries - the team is working double time to keep it going.

"But something so old and precious is expensive."

The cathedral said it received no government funding towards its daily running costs and did not charge an admission fee, leaving it reliant on events.

'A wonderful space'

During the summer, it hosted the Monsters of the Sea exhibition, visited by more than 30,000 people, and Queen by Candlelight, featuring a Queen tribute band, attended by about 600.

Later this year, it will host its annual Christmas market.

The Revd Alban Jones said the aim was not just to generate income but to attract a diverse range of visitors to the venue and the city.

"Our core value is to be inclusive. We need to have music for all tastes. There's room for everyone here," he said.

"This is, and will always be, a place of prayer, and we use it for it every day.

"It is such a wonderful space and deserves to be used more.

"No-one bats an eyelid when there is a private function or a classical concert. We don't want to be judging people on their musical tastes."