BOSSES at a Nelson leisure centre hit by a devastating fire just over eight weeks ago are hopeful of being back in business before Christmas.

But the spa facilities attached to Pendle Wavelengths, off Leeds Road, will take more time to be replaced, according to Pendle Leisure Trust chiefs.

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Accident assessors have been inside the town centre complex and confirmed the Inside Spa section of the building is a complete write-off – but the blaze was contained there and did not spread to the nearby gym or fitness studio.

It is hoped an interim service, including the nail bar and treatment rooms, can be reinstated around the same time the main pool and gym complex are restored.

Phil Storey, chief executive of Pendle Leisure Trust, said: “The spa was completely destroyed in the fire and now plans are being drawn up by three separate companies for a new one, to bring it back to life and hopefully it will be as good, if not better, than the previous one.

“Obviously, this cannot happen overnight. The reception area, nail bar and treatment rooms will open as soon as Pendle Wavelengths opens.

“But we anticipate the spa will open some time in the new year.”

The nail bar and treatment sessions have been temporarily relocated to a suite on the ground floor of the ACE Centre, in Cross Street, while the trust awaited the repairs verdict on the spa rooms from the experts.

Private and school swimming lessons have been re-allocated to Pendle Leisure Centre, in Colne, and some exercise classes have also been transferred to the ACE Centre, which is also managed by the trust.

Gym users were told they could still workout at Seedhill Fitness and Athletics Centre, near junction 13, between Nelson and Barrowford.

The shutdown comes at a tough time for the leisure trust, which also oversees Colne Muni and West Craven Leisure Centre, as it needs to save £320,000 from its budget for 2016-17.