Holy Trinity Church plans Hull tourism hub to fight cash losses
ENGLAND'S largest parish church is looking at ways to become one of Hull's leading tourist attractions to save itself from financial ruin.
Holy Trinity Church, in the heart of the Old Town, is losing £1,000 a week and is expected to run out of money within the next four years if extra funding is not found.
-
ATTRACTING TOURISTS: Reverend Neal Barnes at Holy Trinity Church in Hull's Old Town. The 700-year-old church has plans to create a visitor centre in a bid to attract more people. Picture: Simon Renilson
Since taking over as vicar last year, Reverend Dr Neal Barnes has been looking at ways to generate extra income.
One of the ideas being looked at is creating a visitor centre inside the 700-year-old church, giving information about the sights in Old Town.
Dr Barnes said: "The city could make more of the Old Town.
"The museums do their bit, the Fruit Market do their bit, we are trying to do our bit.
"There are the different trails, but it's not a very joined-up effort.
"Why can't Holy Trinity be a hub for visitors and tourists who come here first and look at the church, then go out from here on the trails and come back here at the end?
"We need to up our game a lot and improve our tourist offering here so it's more engaging for visitors."
According to Mr Barnes the church needs better facilities, including a new café, a shop, toilets, meeting rooms and improved offices. The church could also host exhibitions and displays.
Mr Barnes said he also wants to create an entrance hall at the West end of the church. The improvements are expected to cost at least £1 million.
Mr Barnes said: "We need all the things that would go to make this a place people think, 'Yes, I would like to go there'.
"We want it to be somewhere really welcoming, so people feel comfortable coming in."
In a bid to turn the plans, which have been approved by the church council, into reality, a development board comprising local business people and volunteers has been launched. They have also enlisted the help of Hull University Business School.
The church is planning to bid for Heritage Lottery and regional development funding.
Mr Barnes said the church was also exploring the idea of opening the church up more to community artists and groups. He has not ruled out using the church for events such as concerts, dinner dances and conferences.
Mr Barnes said: "That is challenging because of issues around the space. We're also not sure what kind of demand there is for conference venues.
"But it would be quite a statement if you bought your company somewhere like this for a conference."
10
11 Comments
View all
by dontwo
Wednesday, August 03 2011, 10:12PM
“Turn it into flats, similar to those rabbit hutches nearby, buy a large house near Pearson park and call that a church instead. Doubt if they would get planning permission though, on the obvious grounds of noise and traffic congestion such a building conversion, in such an unsuitable spot, would cause.”
by IvorTwitch
Wednesday, August 03 2011, 9:37PM
“Maybe they should convert it to a bingo hall to make some dosh.”
by macstyle2010
Wednesday, August 03 2011, 4:20PM
“"We want it to be somewhere really welcoming, so people feel comfortable coming in."
I went in once to look around, and felt like I was being watched by the people working there, didn't feel very welcoming.”
by IvorTwitch
Wednesday, August 03 2011, 4:07PM
“I wonder if Robert de Marton also hassled the people of Hull for cash also?”
by don_keys
Tuesday, August 02 2011, 11:39PM
“Has the Rev Barnes considered remoing a few pews & putting a titty bar in ?”
by Mark_Hull_65
Tuesday, August 02 2011, 7:34PM
“"Well, what would it take for Holy Trinity to obtain cathedral status?"
Being knocked down and rebuilt ten times larger?
This is the second story in as many weeks about a church that can't pay its way. They can't all be saved nor should they be, if they can't attract worshippers and they can't attract tourists then they are pretty much up the proverbial without a paddle.
I don't suppose Holy Trinity will ever be knocked down but it's going to have to find a better source of funding than a few tourists.”
by HullCommuter
Tuesday, August 02 2011, 7:18PM
“Well, what would it take for Holy Trinity to obtain cathedral status? That would also raise the profile of Hull as a historical heritage town. Hull already has a bishop so it would seem to be the next logical step.”
by Halal_Fish
Tuesday, August 02 2011, 4:54PM
“Losing a grand a week and then wants to blow another million for another entrance.
They should do stand up comedy nights.”
by Steve_Hull
Tuesday, August 02 2011, 10:20AM
“my advice is you need a whoopi goldberg choir!!!!!
£1.000 a week what are you buying and who are you paying.”
by David_Nivea
Tuesday, August 02 2011, 10:07AM
“Unfortunately for the Reverend Dr Neal Barnes, people prefer to worship mammon at the cathedral of St. Stephen's a few minutes' walk away.”