Fury at plans to turn Canterbury Cathedral entrance into Airbnb
Christ Church Gate, built in the early 16th century, serves as the main entrance to Canterbury Cathedral and is one of the most photographed Christian landmarks in the country.
However, church authorities have proposed to convert the historic tower into 'unrivalled' Airbnb-style accommodation featuring a one-bedroom apartment featuring an open-plan kitchen and living room, a biofuel fire, a breakfast bar and two lavatories.
The Dean and Chapter of Canterbury described the accommodation, which would replace office space on the first and second floors, as 'high quality' and said that it would provide a long-term use for the building.
However, the plans to transform the Grade-I-listed gate, which is the main entrance to the cathedral and believed to have been built between 1504 and 1521, have divided Christians as well as members of the local community.
Dr Gavin Ashenden, former chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth II, who has since converted to Catholicism, described this as the 'continued commercialisation' of the Church.
Dr Ashenden, who was a choral scholar at King's Canterbury, said: 'As The Church of England continues its meltdown, it's no surprise that they have to go to ever increasing links to raise money.
'To give credit where it is due, at least turning this famous cathedral gateway into an Airbnb doesn't involve the degree of blasphemy and irresponsibility that some of the other money making ventures like turning the cathedral into a nightclub involved. Perhaps local residents should be grateful. It's just Airbnb rather than a casino.'
Hilary Brian, chair of the Canterbury Society, branded the idea 'outrageous' and urged Cathedral authorities to change their minds.
'The gate is such an important piece of Canterbury's history, and it should be preserved,' she told Kent Online.
'It seems such a shame to see one of the city's biggest landmarks disregarded in this way.'
'Centuries-old practice of hospitality'
A Canterbury Cathedral spokesperson said: 'The best long-term way to care for our historic buildings, and ensure that they are maintained for future generations, is for them to be used and loved by residents and visitors.
'The rooms in the Gate remain unrefurbished and, in their current condition, are of limited use.
'As we consider how these rooms could be used, the Cathedral is working closely with historic building specialists, conservation architects and planners to bring them into use.
'This will help us continue our centuries-old practice of hospitality and welcome as we seek to serve the wider community, both here in Canterbury, and across the world. We are looking to share more information as plans unfold.'
Purcell Architects, the company which would transform the historic building, said in documents submitted to the council: 'It is clear from the layout and fixtures, including the large fireplaces and windows originally with shutters, that they were designed for domestic use.'
This is not the first time that cathedrals have been accused of becoming increasingly secularised and commercialised. In 2019 Southwark Cathedral was accused of promoting the ' antithesis of the Christian gospel ' by allowing its nave to be used as a catwalk to sell clothes by fashion designer, Julien MacDonald.
Norwich Cathedral also faced criticism for 'treating God like a tourist attraction' after it installed a 55-ft helter skelter in its nave.
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