A Notice on the future of Cathedral Kitchen

Following a recent meeting of Cathedral Chapter, it was unanimously agreed that Cathedral Kitchen – the café offering of Wakefield Cathedral – will close, ceasing trading with effect from Friday 26 August 2022.

The Very Revd Simon Cowling, Dean of Wakefield, said: “At its last meeting, the Cathedral Chapter agreed unanimously to close the Cathedral Kitchen for trading with effect from Friday 26 August 2022.

“This decision has not been taken lightly: the Kitchen has been an important place of welcome and hospitality, and its wonderful staff and volunteers have been an integral part of the wider cathedral team.

“However, the Kitchen has been running a monthly trading deficit since reopening after the worst of the Covid pandemic and, aware of its wider responsibilities for the cathedral’s finances, Chapter has regretfully concluded that this situation is no longer sustainable. The current economic crisis which is affecting so many households and businesses – particularly within the hospitality sector – has just exacerbated the issue, with these rising costs contributing to the current financial situation of the Kitchen.

“It is important to say quite explicitly that the decision to close is no reflection on the enormous dedication of the Kitchen’s staff and volunteers. They have been endlessly innovative and creative in all that they do in the face of increased, and increasing, competition in the hospitality sector in the city’s Cross Square and Bull Ring areas.

“I pay the warmest of tributes to the Kitchen staff and volunteers for all that they have achieved over the years, and also to you, our customers, who have been so kind, caring and supportive of the Kitchen over the years.

“The closure of the Cathedral Kitchen does not mean the closure of the Treacy Hall. We will continue to be able to offer a catering service for organisations who wish to book the Treacy Hall or the cathedral for events; and over the coming months we will be exploring ways in which we can partner with third sector and voluntary organisations in the city. In this way we can serve the people of Wakefield in new ways, continuing to use the Treacy Hall to serve the cathedral’s mission, and its vision to be a place that is safe and welcoming, life giving and inspiring. As we give thanks for all that the Cathedral Kitchen, through its staff and volunteers, has contributed to our common life, let us also look forward, firm in hope, to all that is to come.”

To keep up to date with further announcements regarding the future use of Wakefield Cathedral’s Treacy Hall, please follow the cathedral’s social media sites.