Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral Crypt Renovations

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Thanks to Objective One-funding the city’s historic Crypt under the Metropolitan Cathedral is to be opened to the public with a stunning externally glazed spiral staircase and lift.

The work is now underway and will be open to the public in September 2008, please see the press release below for more details.

I have attached a CGI image of what the access will look like.

If you need any more information please give me a call. Please could you email me with your contact details?

Many thanks

Karen

EU INVESTMENT BREATHES NEW LIFE INTO CITY'S HISTORIC CRYPT

The only remnant of Europe’s greatest un-built cathedral is to be opened up to thousands of extra visitors thanks to an investment from the Merseyside Objective One Programme.

More than £1 million of European funding will create access to the crypt which lies beneath Liverpool's Metropolitan Cathedral with a stunning externally glazed extension - allowing members of the public much better access to experience the historic halls and chapel in all their glory.

The crypt was the only element of Sir Edward Luytens' original design for the cathedral to be built. The plans for the structure, which would have been the largest cathedral in the world, were superseded in 1959 by Sir Frederick Gibberd’s design which led to the cathedral that we have today.

The new access will connect the upper level of the cathedral with the crypt via a new glazed spiral staircase and a lift. It will create an exhibition area much needed to display rare and historic items from the Cathedral Treasury, which have hitherto been hidden from the millions of visitors to the city each year.

The historic Crypt, will also provide a high quality conference venue making the space a key location for cultural programmes within the Hope Street Quarter.

The Metropolitan Cathedral has previously benefited from £1.12million of EU investment to create the new piazza and grand entrance steps at the front of the building.

Richard Nutter, director of the Merseyside Objective One Programme, said: “Liverpool is home to some of the greatest buildings in Europe but while the facades of these buildings are well known, too often what is on the inside has to be left to the imagination.

"The Metropolitan Cathedral is a much-loved Liverpool landmark and a major tourist attraction. This project will allow many more visitors and locals alike to see one of the city's hidden gems and a beautiful fragment of a building that never reached completion."

Work is due to finish in September 2008 and facilities will open to the public at this time.

ENDS

For further press information please contact,

Peter Lappin / Karen Fitzhenry

Paver Smith & Co

T: 0151 239 5000

E: lappin@paversmith.co.uk

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