Kent’s cathedrals have both ruled out opening a chain of wine bars - after clergy in Birmingham announced they were moving into the bar business!

A spokesman for Canterbury Cathedral said he doubted church leaders would want to move into the pub trade, considering the vast number of bars and restaurants in the city.

This was a view echoed by those in control of Rochester Cathedral.

It comes after Birmingham Cathedral announced plans to launch a series of wine bars to help increase worshipper numbers and raise vital funds.

Fundraising is now central for the church to keep its buildings in good repair. Canterbury Cathedral is in the process of raising £50 million to restore the iconic building for generations to come.

The Very Revered Adrian Newman, the Dean of Rochester, said running a cathedral could be very expensive.

He said: “ Even just basic repairs in the UK cost £20 million each year and there’s only £1 million available from the Government.

“Cathedrals are having to look for every way they can to raise the money to keep these wonderful buildings restored and in prime condition.”

Christopher Robinson, a spokesman for Canterbury Cathedral, had a lot of sympathy for Birmingham, but doubted church leaders here would want to follow their plans.

However, he added, “already in our shop we’re selling Kentish beers and Kentish wines, so I think we’ve got nothing against the principle. Anything that encourages people to meet together, talk and share views is good.”

In fact, nearly four years ago the cathedral teamed up with brewery Shepherd Neame to create Cathedral Ale.

Traditionalists say wine bars are not an appropriate way to generate money, but Dean Adrian Newman says “responsible drinking is something the church has never condemned and presumably Birmingham Cathedral is going to be encouraging people to drink very responsibly indeed.”

But if leaders here in the county did have a change of heart they would be in good company.

Friars and monks throughout the ages have brewed wine and mead in monasteries, and champagne was invented by the monk Dom Perignon!