AS churches up and down the country prepare to open for private prayer next week, but one cathedral is remaining closed until staff can unsure the building is safe.

Durham Cathedral is remaining closed due to the operational complexities involved in preparing a building of this scale for reopening, the cathedral will not reopen for private prayer on June 15, but it aspires to do so at a later point this month.

At present, cathedral clergy and staff are working hard to ensure the building is safe for staff, volunteers and members of the public to return to, at this stage for private prayer and quiet reflection only.

The Cathedral believes it is of the utmost importance that everyone onsite feels confident, safe and protected and we need to take the time to get this right.

A date for reopening for private prayer will be announced in due course, once all appropriate health and safety measures are in place.

The Very Reverend Andrew Tremlett, Dean of Durham said: “We welcome the news that the government have acknowledged the need for places of worship, such as ours, to begin the process of reopening for private prayer.

"We are very much looking forward to providing a place of solace for the communities we serve.

“We hope that the news of our imminent reopening for private prayer will provide comfort to those who have been longing to return to Durham Cathedral and to be renewed in God’s love.”

The health and safety measures that will be introduced prior to reopening will include: regular cleaning of the church; availability of hand sanitising facilities, a reduced team of staff on duty; a protective screen at the visitor desk, social distancing, limitations on visitor capacity and a one-way system.

Not all of the cathedral will be open at this stage, however there will be opportunities for members of the public to offer their prayers and, if relevant, to light candles for loved ones.

When the cathedral reopens for private prayer, congregational worship inside the cathedral will not be resuming straight away, however daily worship will continue online via the cathedral’s Facebook and Youtube channels. Additionally, the visitor attraction elements of the cathedral will remain closed. This includes the cathedral’s museum Open Treasure, the Central Tower, the restaurant and shop, as well as the Cloister and College.

Further information on the cathedral’s reopening will be published in the days to come on durhamcathedral.co.uk and the cathedral’s social media channels.