QUALITY ASSURED FOR VISITORS TO ST ALBANS CATHEDRAL NEW DVD “The Abbey”

St Albans Cathedral was assessed in March under Visit Britain’s Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance Service (VAQAS) scheme, and received a glowing report, confirming that it “fully merits the award of Visit Britain’s accreditation”.

The inspection covers all aspects of a visit, from telephone and website enquiries to leaflets, tours, the Café and shops.

The assessor commended “The variety of interpretation and high standards of presentation in this exceptional historic building,” and rated some aspects, such as the guided tour and many of the interpretative features as excellent.

This is the 8th favourable report the Abbey has received, since becoming one of the first Cathedrals to join the scheme in 2001. Responding to the report, the Dean of St Albans, Dr Jeffrey John, said, “We welcome this endorsement of the hospitality we offer all our visitors, and of the Abbey as a great place to visit”.

Visitors to the Cathedral will now be able to take a record of life there home with them. The Cathedral shop has launched a 50-minute long DVD called The Abbey; Behind the Scenes at St Albans Cathedral. Narrated by Penelope Keith it gives a fascinating insight into the many different people who use their skills to maintain the building and the life it contains. It retails for £12.99 (plus £1.50 P&P), and is available from the Abbey Bookshop through:

Cathedral Enterprises, Sumpter Yard, St Albans, AL1 1BY (enterprises@stalbanscathedral.org.uk), tel: 01727 890204.

Donations to the Cathedral of £70.00 and above qualify for a free copy of the DVD.

For more information, contact the Cathedral Administrator, Justin Cross (admin@stalbanscathedral.org.uk), tel: 01727 890208.

21 April 2008