Leicester Cathedral

What Leicester Cathedral does

Leicester Cathedral (formally The Cathedral Church of St Martin, Leicester) is a Church of England cathedral located at Peacock Lane in central Leicester, United Kingdom. Registered as a charity in England and Wales (No. 1205102), it has functioned as a place of worship on a Roman site for over 1,000 years and was elevated to cathedral status in 1927 as the seat of the Bishop of Leicester. The institution serves a diversified constituency including regular worshippers, heritage tourists (particularly those tracing King Richard III's burial site, reinterred 2015), school groups, families, event attendees, venue hirers, and isolated community members through outreach programmes such as the Welcome Café.

The cathedral's core product portfolio is organised around four pillars: (1) regular worship services and sacraments (baptisms, weddings, funerals, confirmations, daily prayer, Sunday Eucharist with the Cathedral Choir); (2) heritage tourism anchored by the King Richard III story, archaeological discoveries spanning 2,000 years, and the new Heritage & Learning Centre opened as part of the Leicester Cathedral Revealed project (reopened November 2023); (3) cultural and commercial events including ticketed concerts (Bowie by Candlelight, Tina Turner tribute, medieval banquets at £90, afternoon teas at £55, talks £3.50-£8), venue hire, and retail merchandise; and (4) community outreach including the Welcome Café (launched December 2025) and engagement with the national Warm Welcome Campaign. Underlying technology is modest: a website CMS with online donation functionality, Eventbrite for ticketing, YouTube live-streaming for global reach, and Google Analytics for visitor tracking. No proprietary technology platforms, mobile applications, or digital products were disclosed.

Revenue mechanics are entirely donation- and grant-driven across five streams: voluntary visitor donations (suggested £5 per adult), event ticket sales (transaction-based, £3.50–£90), venue hire (professional services pricing), retail merchandise (activity books, grotesques-themed souvenirs), and charitable giving (tithes, Friends of Leicester Cathedral memberships, grants from bodies such as the National Lottery Heritage Fund). The cathedral employs approximately 30 staff (FTE-equivalent figure), operates under the governance of the Chapter and Diocese of Leicester, and is currently led by Dean The Very Revd Karen Rooms. Distribution is multi-channel: physical visits (Monday–Saturday 10:30am–4:30pm, Sunday 12:00–3:00pm), in-person services, YouTube live-streams (global), on-site retail, and digital marketing via Facebook, X, Instagram, YouTube, and an email newsletter. No revenue, ARR, or financial figures are publicly disclosed.

Name

Leicester Cathedral

Legal name

The Cathedral Church of St Martin, Leicester

Website

https://leicestercathedral.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1927

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Leicester Cathedral is a Church of England cathedral and registered charity (No. 1205102) in Leicester, UK, serving worshippers, heritage tourists, families, and community members through worship, sacraments, heritage tourism around King Richard III, cultural events, venue hire, and outreach programmes.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Religious Services and Heritage Tourism

NAICS

Religious Organizations (8131), Historical Sites (71212), Funeral Homes and Funeral Services (81221)

SIC

Services-Miscellaneous Amusement & Recreation (7990), Services-Amusement & Recreation Services (7900)

akta.pro primary industry

Places of Worship & Religious Facilities Operations (Cemeteries, Retreat Centers, Pilgrimage Sites) (BPAGAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Religious Landmarks & Pilgrimage Sites (Temples, Churches, Shrines) (THAJACAG), Iconic Architecture & Signature Buildings (Cathedrals, Palaces, Castles) (THAJACAE)

Keywords

• Religious worship services
• Heritage tourism experiences
• Sacred ceremonies
• Community outreach programs
• Historic venue hire

Headquarters

HQ city

Leicester

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Visitor Donations: Voluntary donations from visitors with a suggested contribution of £5 per adult for admission to the cathedral.
2. Event Tickets: Revenue from ticketed events including concerts, talks, medieval banquets, afternoon teas, and special anniversary celebrations. Ticket prices vary from free to £90 for premium experiences.
3. Venue Hire: The cathedral and its Heritage & Learning Centre are available for hire for events, meetings, conferences, weddings, and other functions.
4. Retail Sales: Sale of merchandise including activity books, family trail materials, and souvenirs inspired by cathedral grotesques and Richard III.
5. Charitable Giving: Donations and tithes from worshippers, supporters, and the Friends of Leicester Cathedral membership scheme.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Leicester Cathedral is an Anglican cathedral offering religious worship services (daily prayers, Sunday Eucharist, Choral Evensong), sacramental services (baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals), heritage tourism experiences centred on King Richard III's tomb and 900+ years of history, educational programmes for schools and families, cultural events including concerts and theatre, community outreach via the Welcome Café, and venue hire for events and conferences.

Product overview

Leicester Cathedral is a traditional Anglican cathedral offering a unified portfolio of religious, heritage, and community services. Core offerings include worship services (daily prayers, Eucharist, Sunday services with Cathedral Choir), sacraments (baptisms, confirmations, weddings, funerals), and heritage experiences centred on King Richard III and 900+ years of history. The Cathedral's Leicester Cathedral Revealed project encompasses a new Heritage & Learning Centre, family programmes (Explorers' Trail, activity books, holiday crafts), venue hire, and the Welcome Café community initiative. The Cathedral Quarter extends the visitor experience through affiliated Diocese of Leicester venues (St Martins House Conference Centre, St Martins Lodge, Café No:7). Events include concerts, cinema screenings, theatre, and seasonal festivals. All services are coordinated through the Cathedral's own booking and management systems, with ticketing via Eventbrite and communications via social media platforms.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Worship Services Regular and special worship services including daily Morning Prayer, Evening Prayer, Lunchtime Eucharist, Sunday services with Cathedral Choir, and seasonal services for Advent, Christmas, Lent, Easter, and other liturgical occasions. Available to worshippers and visitors.
• Baptisms and Confirmations Sacramental services for babies, children, and adults including Christening ceremonies during main Sunday Eucharist, and preparation sessions for those seeking baptism or confirmation. Baptism has no fee but generous thank offerings are encouraged.
• Funeral Services Funeral and memorial service arrangements coordinated through the Canon-in-Residence, including support for families during sensitive times and coordination with clergy for services.
• Weddings and Blessings Wedding ceremonies and marriage blessing services for couples seeking to marry or have their union blessed at the Cathedral.
• Tours and Talks Guided tours of the Cathedral including Richard III tours, medieval history walks, and educational talks by archaeologists and historians. Special family-friendly tours are also offered.
• Children and Family Activities Family-friendly experiences including the Explorers' Trail, Children's Corner, craft activities during school holidays, and half-term programmes with creative crafts, storytelling, music, and archaeology activities.
• Events and Concerts Cultural events programme including concerts (Bowie by Candlelight, Tina Turner tribute, Cathedral Choir performances), cinema screenings, theatre productions, and seasonal events like Dino Fest and St George's Day Festival. Ticket prices range from free to £90 for premium experiences.
• Venue Hire Hire of Cathedral spaces and the Heritage & Learning Centre for events, concerts, conferences, meetings, weddings, and special occasions.
• Welcome Café Weekly drop-in community café open Fridays 10.30am-12.00pm offering hospitality, conversation, activities, and skill-sharing opportunities. Part of the national Warm Welcome Campaign and serves as a social hub for isolated individuals, older residents, and community members.
• School Visits Educational visits for school groups with tailored programmes exploring history, religion, and architecture.
• Group Visits Special arrangements for group visits including private tours and tailored experiences for organisations.
• King Richard III Heritage Experience Heritage experience centred on the tomb and story of King Richard III, including the Redemption Windows, Richard III Visitor Centre connection, walking trails, and commemorative events for anniversaries of his reinterment.
• Leicester Cathedral Revealed Project Major heritage renewal and redevelopment project including the new Heritage & Learning Centre, building restoration, archaeological discoveries spanning 2,000 years, and installation of six grotesques on the south façade. The cathedral reopened its doors to worshippers and visitors on Sunday 26 November 2023 after this closure.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 1,000 attendees at the 450th anniversary of sign language service, with 800+ watching the livestream
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration7 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Association of English Cathedrals (AEC)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeicester Cathedral participates in AEC campaigns including the Winter Doors Campaign, which showcases cathedrals' history and heritage. The cathedral was featured as the launch venue for the 2023 campaign upon its reopening.
• University of Leicester Archaeological Services (ULAS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on archaeological discoveries at the cathedral site. Mathew Morris from ULAS has delivered public talks about excavations revealing 2,000 years of history including possible Roman shrine, Anglo-Saxon building, and burial ground.
• Diocese of LeicestercoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe cathedral is the seat of the Bishop of Leicester and operates in partnership with the Diocese. The Diocese owns adjacent properties including St Martins House Conference Centre, St Martins Lodge, and Café No:7 in the Cathedral Quarter.
• Warm Welcome CampaignmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerNational campaign addressing isolation and loneliness. Leicester Cathedral's Welcome Café was named as the 6,000th Warm Welcome Space in Britain in January 2026, demonstrating the cathedral's commitment to community welfare.
• King Richard III Visitor CentremajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAdjacent visitor centre dedicated to the story of Richard III's discovery and reinterment. Jointly promotes the heritage experience with the cathedral for tourists visiting both sites.
• Richard III SocietymajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe society played a key role in the search for Richard III and his reinterment in 2015. Celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2024, it continues to support cathedral events and the anniversary commemorations.
• Bosworth Battlefield Heritage CentreminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPartner in commemorating Richard III anniversaries. Celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2024 with joint events celebrating the broader Richard III story including medieval festivals.
• De Montfort UniversityminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerUniversity students produced a soundscape for the cathedral's late-night Richard III anniversary openings, using recordings from the Richard III Oral History Project.
• Leicestershire County Council Culture Leicestershire TeamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaborated on the Medieval Women Forging the Way exhibition exploring links between the Battle of Bosworth and Sikh faith in Punjab, working with a local Sikh women's group.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• York Minster: One of the largest Gothic cathedrals in Northern Europe, combining active Anglican worship with substantial heritage tourism, ticketed events, retail, and learning programmes. Closely comparable in scale, mission, and operating model.
• Canterbury Cathedral: The seat of the Archbishop of Canterbury and mother church of the Anglican Communion. Operates as both an active place of worship and a major heritage/tourism destination, with comparable worship, heritage programming, venue hire, and donation-based revenue streams.
• Salisbury Cathedral: Medieval cathedral operating worship, heritage tourism, school visits, and a recently expanded learning centre. Very similar in operating model and visitor proposition to Leicester Cathedral.
• Lincoln Cathedral: East Midlands cathedral with active worship, heritage programming, and tourism. Geographically closest large English cathedral and a natural regional peer.
• Durham Cathedral: UNESCO World Site cathedral combining worship, heritage tourism, education programming, and events. Operates a comparable donation/admission plus ticketed-events model.
• St Paul's Cathedral: London Anglican cathedral combining worship, ticketed tourism, concerts, and learning programmes. Comparable as a major urban cathedral operating across religious, heritage, and event revenue lines.
• Westminster Abbey: A Royal Peculiar serving as a coronation church and major heritage attraction. Comparable as a worshipping cathedral that monetises heritage through ticketed admission, events, retail, and learning programmes.

Emerging players

• The Churches Conservation Trust: Charity that preserves historic churches no longer used for regular worship and opens them to visitors. Comparable as a heritage-church operator with similar conservation, community, and tourism objectives, though focused on redundant rather than active churches.

Broad incumbents

• English Heritage: Charity that operates and grants access to hundreds of historic sites across England. Comparable as a heritage operator with site management, membership schemes, ticketed events, and school visit programmes, though at vastly greater scale and without the active worship dimension.
• National Trust: Largest UK conservation charity operating heritage properties, gardens, and houses. Comparable as a membership-and-admission funded heritage operator with community, education, and venue-hire activities.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/LeicsCathedral
• YouTubeyoutube.com/c/LeicesterCathedral
• Facebookfacebook.com/LeicesterCathedral
• Instagraminstagram.com/leicester_cathedral
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/leicester-cathedral

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles7 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Leicester Cathedral