Thank you for your interest in this story

To continue reading this article, subscribe to the Stray Ferret for as little as £1 a week

Already a subscriber? Log in here.

Aug 2023

Last Updated: 23/08/2023

Community

Visual of Harrogate's first mosque released as £50,000 appeal launched

by John Plummer

| 24 Aug, 2023

project_172358_harrogate_masjid_renovation_phase_three_renderinglg-699x525

Harrogate Islamic Association has launched a £50,000 fundraising appeal for the next phase of its scheme to create the district's first mosque.

It has also published a visual showing how the building on the corner of Tower Street and Belford Road will look once the makeover is completed.

The association bought the dilapidated former Home Guard building in April last year.

It has already undergone extensive repairs to fix the roof and remove asbestos.

The next phase of the project, which is underway, will ensure the building is structurally sound and will focus on stripping the interior and undertaking structural works.

In a crowdfunding appeal post, the association said:

"It’s difficult to convey how deteriorated the building interior is, but we’re determined to make it right."

"This phase will see a removal and replacement of both the ground and first floors, each of which have suffered extensive rot and degradation.

"The floors will be replaced with steel framing and timber infrastructure to match the existing levels. The steel infrastructure will also help brace the existing masonry walls."

https://twitter.com/HarrogateIA/status/1694010495445897311?s=20

The crowdfunding appeal post said further funds will need to be raised for a final phase, which will involve installing electricity, heating, security and plumbing systems, along with interior walls, doors, and amenities.

The post said the association was minimising disruption by not erecting scaffolding or conducting exterior work during the current phase so traffic and businesses on Tower Street and Belford Road will not be disrupted.

It added:

"Our intent is for this process to be a model that other communities can follow in terms of outreach, management, safety, and engagement with the wider community."

First pictures show inside of £13.5m Harrogate leisure centre refurbishment

Harrogate plant hire company founder David Kitching dies

Zahed Amanullah, outreach coordinator at the association, said the mosque was likely to open early next year. He added:

"It's a very old building with a lot of issues so we are moving carefully and methodically. We are not rushing."

The association published these images showing the state of the building inside.

Thank you for your interest in this story

Visual of Harrogate's first mosque released as £50,000 appeal launched

Read more: