THE friends group of a grade-I listed mill is hoping the site will reopen 'this week'.

Queen Street Mill in Burnley was closed off last week after Kings Mill chimney, which lies over the road, had been deemed unsafe by surveyors.

The section of Queen Street from Harrison Street and Briercliffe Park was closed off with a metal gate.

The mill was built in 1894 for the Queen Street Manufacturing Company and shut in 1982 before it was turned into a museum.

It is the last surviving 19th century steam powered weaving mill in the world.

Lancashire County Council said the decision to close the mill was "a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of people working in and visiting the museum."

A Friends of Queen Street Mill spokesman posted on Facebook yesterday, the statement read: "Whilst King’s Mill chimney is a blow, to all housed within King’s Mill itself and Queen Street Mill, I can confirm that the owner is doing all he can in the circumstances and thank him for all co-operation with the bodies involved.

"I can confirm that, whilst Queen Street Mill will not be open (this weekend just gone) we are hoping for business as usual next week."

Several businesses and organisations are based at the Kings Mill, including Action for ASD - East Lancashire Autism Resource Centre.

“The mill is temporarily closed because of the dangerous condition of an adjacent building.

"The museum is expected to remain closed until the chimney on the neighbouring building has been made safe.

"Queen Street Mill will therefore not reopen until this situation is resolved."

The Queen Street Mill chimney is also undergoing refurbishment work.