Hosting concerts and silent discos are among the ways the cathedral hopes to reach financial stability
LLANDAFF Cathedral could break even financially for the first time in years after introducing music events like silent discos.
The cathedral was initially projected to have a deficit of £40,000 this year but, thanks to a new approach to hosting cultural events, is expected to break even by the end of 2024.
“The Cathedral was a very different place before Covid,” said Christopher Preece, Head of Stakeholder Engagements at the cathedral.
With debts mounting, the cathedral needed to find new ways of generating money and began hosting some types of events that had previously not taken place there – especially music events.
In 2023, four silent disco events in May and November brought in more than 4,000 people.
That year the cathedral raised £1.24m, compared to £719.8k in 2022.
This year alone, the Cathedral has hosted around 75 events, with more expected in 2025.
The events company behind the silent disco bookings, ‘Mega Events’, has already booked the cathedral for two days in May and November until 2026.
“There has been more of an appetite for concerts than before the pandemic, so it is really helpful for the cathedral’s funds,” said Mr Preece.
“People don’t expect Llandaff Cathedral to have a silent disco as we aren’t as big (as some English cathedrals), so getting people to come who would not normally have, is really important to the clergy.”.
Mr Preece, who has worked at the cathedral for eleven years, said that the cathedral has to find a balance between accepting cultural events and keeping its usual religious services, due to the funding challenges.
Canterbury Cathedral faced controversy in February after hosting a silent disco called ‘Rave in the Nave’ whilst trying to boost funds with alcohol-led events.
Llandaff Cathedral has not faced any criticism so far.
“People who are socially connected with the cathedral are really pleased that so many people want to come, the way they do the lighting, it looks pretty good,” said Mr Preece.
Wendy Foxhill, from Whitchurch, has attended a silent disco and a carol service last December and has booked to go to another silent disco.
“It’s a great idea as more of the community are able to get an experience of the cathedral environment,” she said,
The next upcoming silent disco event is ’80s, ’90s and ’00s themed, and will be held on the November 22 and 23. Tickets cost £28.57 but the events are already sold out.
On March 28 the cathedral hosts An Evening of Radiohead. Tickets cost £43.96.
