Grade I-listed Liverpool Cathedral was closed to the public in March due to the coronavirus restrictions but is set to reopen on one of the most important dates in its calendar. Tony McDonough reports

Liverpool Cathedral will open to visitors and worshippers for the first time since March 23, next weekend – on the 96th anniversary of its consecration.

Also known by the public as ‘the Anglican cathedral’, the Grade I-listed building, which is the fifth biggest cathedral in the world, will reopen to the public on Sunday, July 19. Its annual Consecration Service will be held at 10:30am with a wider opening at 12 noon.

It will also mark the 106 years since its foundation stone was laid and, to keep people as safe as possible, the cathedral is introducing a one-way system with advance booking while limiting the number of people allowed inside at any one time.

Opening hours will be reduced. Hand sanitisers points plus new signage will be installed to direct and remind visitors of the safety measures. The Dean of Liverpool, The Very Revd Dr Sue Jones, said: “We want people to enjoy our building and we want them to do this safely.

“Like so many great Liverpool venues, the way you encounter us will be different. But you will still encounter a warm welcome as you come back to one of the buildings that people right across Liverpool and beyond love.

“I have missed so many encounters with our visitors over the last few months so it feels great to be welcoming people back. And to be able to more fully open our doors with public worship on the anniversary of our consecration seems fitting and right.”

Liverpool Cathedral started its journey to reopen on Thursday 18 June, following a Government announcement that all places of worship could open for supervised private prayer.

During this next stage, there will also be an opportunity to light a candle, write a Peace Dove. The Cathedral Shop reopens on July 21 while the the Welsford Restaurant, Mezzanine Café, and Tower experience will remained closed for the time being.