St Paul's Cathedral has asked the Occupy London Stock Exchange protestors camping outside to move on after it was forced to close its restaurant and gift shop because of the fall in trade.
The cathedral has been largely supportive of the protest until now, with Canon Chancellor Giles Fraser arguing that people had a right to protest. Fraser had even asked the police to leave, and said that the protestors could stay if they remained peaceful.
But on Wednesday the cathedral issued a statement claiming that the protests, now numbering more than 180 tents, represented "a risk to the life of the cathedral".
"St Paul’s Cathedral stated on Monday that it was still trying to provide worship and welcome to all in spite of the presence of the protest camp in the churchyard," it said in a statement. "St Paul’s asked everyone to respect this need and to acknowledge the risk to the life of the cathedral posed by the current situation."
"The increased scale and nature of the protest camp is such that to act safely and responsibly the cathedral must now review the extent to which it can remain open for the many thousands coming this week as worshippers, visitors and in school parties. Is it now time for the protest camp to leave? The consequences of a decision to close St Paul’s cannot be taken lightly."
A spokesperson for the protests has indicated that they may attempt to raise money to compensate the cathedral for the drop in revenue.
"Rumours that originated from The Times that St Pauls want us removed are untrue. We are currently in ongoing dialogue with St Pauls," the Occupy LSX Twitter account said.