Accounts published by York Minster reveal a net deficit of more than half a million pounds over 2008-09.The cathedral’s normal operations made a deficit of £285,000 while the York Minster Revealed project – run in conjunction with the Heritage Lottery Fund – lost the Minster further net costs of £238,000.
The year before the Minster made a profit of £314,000. The Dean and Chapter’s stock market investments also dropped a massive £3,734,000 in value due to the credit crunch’s effect on shares.
At the end of the year the fund was worth £12,000,000.
Nevertheless income from visitors, including shop sales, has remained steady at around £2,750,000 despite the recession.
British holidaymakers choosing to visit UK cities instead of expensive holidays abroad may well have contributed to keeping this figure secure.
The Dean of York, the Very Rev Keith Jones, said it had been a ‘challenging’ year for the Minster, as it had been for other organisations.
He said: “It is never good news to have made a deficit, but the figures do show that we have got our priorities right. We have maintained the Minster’s witness to the Christian faith in a turbulent world, and we continue to welcome many thousands of worshippers and visitors who come to find inspiration here.
“On top of that we have been able to make real progress with the endless but vital task of safeguarding the Minster’s structure for the future, both in our spending on stone and glass, and in preparing our case to receive the money set aside for the York Minster Revealed project by the Heritage Lottery Fund.
“Our staff and volunteers have worked hard and well during the year, and as we strive to find the financial resources to meet the Minster’s needs into the future, I believe we shall see that work rewarded.”
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