ALVA's 2022 visitor figures

The Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA) has released the visitor figures of its members for 2022 today at the start of English Tourism Week and during Scottish Tourism Month.

As an ALVA member, we submitted our own 2022 total visitor figures, which were a brilliant 1,193,888. This figure includes sightseeing visitors, those attending for worship and events, school visits and corporate events.

These figures were up by 329% on 2021 (278,413) and 30% down on 2019 (1,716,417). This places us at number 18 for ALVA members' figures in 2022, and the Cathedral was the leading place of worship for all members.

Access to the Cathedral on Sunday 19th March

On Sunday 19^th March, filming will take place outside of the Cathedral on the Old Roadway. In order to avoid potential problems, we suggest that, between 0600-1200, all staff and volunteers access the Cathedral via the back of the Chapter House, in Paternoster Square, and through the under croft.

The picture to the left shows where to go.

Wren 300 podcast

Our new Wren 300 themed Stories from St Paul's podcast series has begun!

The first episode from Douglas Anderson explores the question, 'Who was Sir Christopher Wren?' and examines his life, work, legacy - and impressive body of work. Stay tuned for more Wren 300 episodes, and one coming up in May all about the Cathedral's Coronation connections.

Listen to our latest podcast

Collect your commemorative Loyal Address mug!

Huge thanks to Garry Shrimpton, our Shop Buyer and David Podmore at AVIDD Design for these wonderful mugs to commemorate the Loyal Address on the 9th March.

There's a mug for everyone, so if you haven't yet received yours, please do get in touch with your line manager or staff lead as they might be keeping it safe for you. Alternatively, you can collect in person from the Business Support Team's office in the Chapter House.

What's on next week

Monday 20th March, 5pm: Sung Eucharist for the Feast of Joseph of Nazareth
Tuesday 21st March, 6.30pm, Adult Learning event: A History of the Bible: The Book and its Faiths

Friday 24th March: Doors will open for sightseeing at the later time of 1pm due to the United Guilds Service
Saturday 25th March, 5pm: Sung Eucharist for the Feast of the Annunciation

Job vacancies

Visitor Experience Assistant
Hours: Full-time and part-time available
Salary: £22,368 per annum (FTE) or £12.29 per hour rising with training and experience over three years

We are looking to recruit Visitor Experience Assistants: a busy ‘front of house’ position, welcoming visitors from across the world to the Cathedral, and making their visit one to remember by ensuring a seamless experience; from the initial welcome at the Cathedral’s entrances, to ticket selling and providing information and guidance throughout their visit - whether on the Cathedral floor, Crypt or Galleries.

These are varied operational roles, working across the building, even climbing the steps of the Cathedral’s indoor and outdoor galleries and working outside in all weather.

The closing date for applications is the 24th March 2023. Find out more on our website.

Closes today!

Virger

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Salary: £29,932 per annum plus benefits

There's still time to apply for our full-time Virger role, but hurry - applications close at 11.59pm today. Find out more online.

Volunteering Opportunity

Wandsmen are a team of men and women who are ambassadors on behalf of St Paul’s Cathedral, welcoming visitors to services of worship and other events at the Cathedral, providing visitors with a memorable, enjoyable and spiritually uplifting experience.

Each Wandsman joins a Sunday morning or afternoon team, operating on separate six weekly rotas and where possible, they support other services and events at the Cathedral throughout the year.

We are seeking volunteers who can demonstrate and deliver patience, perseverance, attention to detail, problem solving, compassion and good humour.

If you would like to become part our Wandsmen team and can commit to attending and supporting the Cathedral on a regular basis, apply today. Visit https://www.stpauls.co.uk/volunteer-with-us to find out more.

And finally...

You will have seen from our 'What's on next week' section that our next Adult Learning event takes place on the Cathedral Floor on Tuesday 21st March, starting at 6.30pm. The event is 'A History of the Bible: The Book and its Faiths' with one of the great Biblical scholars of our time, John Barton, discussing his bestselling book 'A History of the Bible'. A brilliant 800 people are already registered, and we’d love to see you there if you can make it! You can register online, but there will also be plenty of space on the evening if you're not able to do so.

If you have anything to include in next week's news, please email internalcomms@stpaulscathedral.org.uk by Wednesday at the latest.

With very best wishes,
Laura