CANTERBURY CATHEDRAL is to stop supplying free entry passes to local people to the precincts from the new year, it has been announced.

For the past 20 years, people who work in the old city of Canterbury, who live within four miles of Bell Harry tower, who are members of the congregation or cathedral volunteers, or who are on the electoral roll of a parish church in the diocese have been eligible for a free annual precincts pass. From January 2023, the new cathedral pass will cost £6.

Nathan Crouch, a spokesman for the cathedral, said that the new pass would last five years. “The fee will be £6: the equivalent of just ten pence per month. We have kept this as low as possible, and it will cover the cost of the card, administration, and help towards the cathedral’s substantial costs,” he said.

The new pass is intended for local people who want to come to the cathedral as visitors, during visiting hours, when there is an entry charge of £15.50. Children and students are allowed entry free of charge. The cathedral grounds are also open to all, free of charge, every day between 5 and 9 p.m.

“Our services of worship are always free to attend, and anyone wishing to come to the cathedral church at other times to pray, to light a candle, or to speak with one of our clergy can do so freely,” Mr Crouch said. “There is never a charge for this, and we are always sensitive to the needs of those who come to the cathedral.

“As most people will recognise, it is hugely expensive to maintain the cathedral — it costs over £800 an hour to keep the cathedral accessible and in good order — and visitor income is our main source of revenue to sustain this iconic site.”

The charge has been branded “unjustified” by some members of the public, Kent Online reports. Mr Crouch said that one of the reasons for the relaunch was that the old scheme had been misused, resulting in the loss of invaluable visitor ticket income.