Crossword Genius

Blessed lobby had to pay (8)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

hallowed

'blessed' is the definition.
('hallow' can be a synonym of 'bless')

'lobby had to pay' is the wordplay.
'lobby' becomes 'hall' ('hall' can be a synonym of 'lobby').
'had to pay' becomes 'owed' (I've seen this before).
'hall'+'owed'='HALLOWED'

(Other definitions for hallowed that I've seen before include "Like saints" , "Held holy" , "Made blessed" , "Consecrated, blessed" , "Revered" .)

I've seen this clue in The Telegraph.
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