St Paul’s Cathedral has hit back at criticism over its new partnership with club music promoter, fabric.

A representative for St Paul's told Premier Christian News the four-year deal would not lead to “raves in the nave” and there would be no bar, alcohol, dancing or DJs.

The partnership was announced earlier this month, with the aim of bringing together “a range of contemporary artists from different musical backgrounds and disciplines whose work responds to the Cathedral's atmosphere, acoustics and architectural heritage”.

However, opponents called it "deeply depressing". The Cathedral is the resting place of Admiral Lord Nelson and Peregrine Hood, who's a descendant of his brother, said it was “an insult to Lord Nelson’s memory”.

Dr Gavin Ashenden, who was a chaplain to the late Queen Elizabeth told The Telegraph the decision was "a sign of degraded apostasy which is a betrayal of all the faithful Christian people who said their prayers there".

Seeking to reassure worshippers, Sandra Lynes Timbrell, director of visitor engagement said St Paul’s would always be “primarily a place of worship". She added: "That is our core mission, and that is why we exist”.

But she said  that many people “find it difficult to cross the threshold for whatever reason. They may not feel it's for them. And so, in creating this partnership with fabric and others, the idea is to bring people into the building to give them a reason to cross that threshold, to break down some of those barriers, and to invite them to experience the space, to experience music in the space and to see how that space then moves them”.

Timbrell said there would be “due diligence” to ensure events were suitable for the Cathedral, adding: “At least it gets them through the door, and then they can witness what is what is obviously a very beautiful location within London that's deeply spiritual”.

The first event under the new partnership will be with The Cinematic Orchestra, on 29 October 2026.