MEMBERS of a mosque say they are a step closer to moving into a landmark former hotel after the latest stage of a renovation project has been completed.

Ongoing work has been undertaken to renovate the former Groves Hotel, off Manchester Road in Nelson by the UKIM Madina Masjid in Forest Street.

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The historic building, formerly the Spring Bank Hotel is being transformed into a community centre, with a new mosque constructed in the grounds.

Plans to transform the building have been underway since 2008, and work costing £2 million to renovate the exterior of the building has been completed.

Members of the mosque now hope to start work on the interior of the building which they estimate will cost about £1 million.

The mosque had applied to Pendle Council to change the wording of the planning application to allow part of the building to be occupied while work is underway, but the application was later withdrawn by the mosque.

Afzal Malik president of the mosque said: “The external work which cost £2 million has been undertaken, this included replacing stonework and chimneys.

“We had applied to Pendle Council to change the wording of the planning application so we could use a prayer room and washing facilities.

“We are not yet sure if we will keep the mosque in Forest Street. The mosque is small and we have limited space for the 200 people who use it and also have limited parking.

“We are hoping that renovation work to the building will be completed by this time next year.”