Loyalty cards and wine bars for Cathedral faithful

Bess writes: Here’s a new take on church branding: Birmingham Cathedral has, according to The Sunday Telegraph, approved a scheme to open wine bars named after the Cathedral around the city. Each bar will have stained-glass windows, religious pictures on the walls and be painted a shade of “Episcopal purple” Whose bright idea was this? Mark Hope-Urwin, formerly a chief executive with the John Lewis partnership department stores and now the cathedral's first “director of hospitality and welcome”. Which, in plain English, means that he has a remit to rebrand and remarket the church. Other Hope-Urwin brainwaves include “loyalty cards” for regular church-goers which will give them discounts at cathedral shops. He explains: “This isn’t about turning the cathedral into a big money-making machine, but we have to think of how  we can change and spread the brand. We are in a competitive environment.” Clearly. God v Mammon perhaps?

Comments

[mike]

It helps to be totally off your face when trying to digest (imbibe?) the myths of the OT/NT and Church dogma, so the more wine and beer the more likely to also believe in non-existent deities, angels, spirits..oh.., shpirits?...I'll dwink those toooo....Let's toasht...to what'sh his name? SSSHHHmashing god, eh (burp)?

[AKULA]

This is surely a good move for the church, all religions are currently irrelevant to their key audience and if this can help catch a new trawl of gullible youngsters then it will keep the tradition alive. In doing so it will continue to provide me with some much needed light relief when reading the outraged reactions of the devoted 'few'. As all religion is, after all, little more than an opportunity to make money for and from nothing it is refreshing to see that Birmingham Cathedral is being honest about it and leveraging their global brand identity. I guess it will be a large 'Bells' all round in Birmingham!

[iain rae]

A pint of Abbots ale and a glass of blue nun for the lady. Cheers and god bless you guv.