7:00pm Thursday 2nd September 2010
By Emma Cruces
A LANDMARK Accrington church could be occupied within months following interest generated by the nearby Tesco development.
A restaurant chain has expressed an interested in the Grade-II listed former Cannon Street Baptist Church site.
It comes as the present owners were ordered to pay £1,000 in fines and costs after failing to carry out council-ordered repairs.
Bosses of building owners Y&Y developments said they carried out only some of the repairs because they feared further vandalism while it stood empty.
However, Hyndburn Council said the works carried out were 'too little, too late'.
Financial director of Y&Y Developments, Michael Fuerst, said the key to renovating the building was finding an occupier.
Recent expressions of interest are said to have included one from a Leeds-based restaurant and could prove fruitful within months.
He said: “We have carried out much of the work needed, but the windows would be smashed again and the gates probably stolen if we replaced them.
“While the building is empty there is only so much can be done, but the outlook to have the building occupied soon is positive.
"The opening of the Tesco has definitely played its part in the amount of interest we have had lately.”
The Tesco superstore is being built next to the train station.
The former church has been empty since 2006 and has fallen into disrepair.
When council notices to carry out repairs were served last September, the roof was damaged, trees were growing from the tower, leaded windows were broken and the wall and gate to Cannon Street were missing.
The firm said it had repaired the roof and wall, but kept the wrought iron gates in storage and screens on the windows.
Hyndburn cabinet member for environmental issues, Coun Peter Clarke said a deadline for 18 repairs to be carried out by January had seen only six completed by May.
He said: “This is a listed building within the Accrington Town Centre Conservation Area and has a big visual impact on the neighbourhood."
At Hyndburn Magistrates' Court, Y&Y Developments admitted failing to comply with notices and were fined £650 plus £15 victims' surcharge and costs of £400.
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