STAFF at cash strapped Exeter Cathedral are being asked to take voluntary redundancy.

The Dean, the Very Revd Stephen Waine, told workers that the Cathedral finances ‘show a significant deficit for the current financial year’.

The move comes about as insiders say there is to be a £2 million planned upgrade to the Cathedral's sound and lighting system which is being funded independently by the Friends of Exeter Cathedral.

The Dean said a deficit had always been expected but the ‘full extent of the shortfall has only recently become clear’.

He said Cathedral freehold property has increased costs through dilapidations and loss of income on properties that are currently vacant including Exeter Cathedral School which has been closed.

The Dean said a review of commercial activities has seen a significant shortfall against forecast income, particularly in relation to visitor numbers.

And finally some grant funding that was expected to cover general overheads has not been forthcoming.

The Dean said the Friends of Exeter Cathedral and the Exeter Cathedral Music Foundation continue to give ‘very generous support’ toward music and other costs ‘without which our finances would be considerably worse’.

In a statement, the Cathedral said: ‘Like other Cathedrals across the country, Exeter Cathedral faces ongoing financial pressures, and we are currently working to address a projected deficit for the current financial year.

‘As part of a thorough process to minimise operating expenditure, the Cathedral has decided to launch a voluntary redundancy scheme and consider applications for reduced working hours from staff.

‘In addition, a complete review of our property portfolio is currently being undertaken following the sad closure of Exeter Cathedral School and the subsequent return of its buildings to the Cathedral, along with attendant security costs.’