New start for Birstall Army hall
ONCE a place of worship and concerts, Birstall's Salvation Army Hall served the community for nearly 70 years.
But in June 2004 the Birstall corps was told the building in Blackburn Road needed to be pulled down and rebuilt because a tree planted nearby had caused structural damage which could not be repaired.
At a cost of 180,000, it was work the group could not afford and so, reluctantly, the 20-strong congregation held its last service on July 24 that year.
Just a few years later the empty building, which was built in 1935 for the costly sum of 1,169, caught the attention of a local pharmacist who saw its potential.
COMMENT ON THIS STORY BELOW
Parmanand Mistry, 56, who owned Oakwood Pharmacy in nearby Bradford Road, and his wife Paru spent four years developing ideas for the new building and ways to make the most of its large open space.
Paru, 46, said: "We have been serving the community for 24 years and bought the Salvation Army Hall knowing it was in a good position and was an asset to the local community.
"Our main concern when renovating the building was to retain the history. We've kept the feature window at the front and minimised the changes we made externally. We also wanted to retain the links to the Salvation Army since it has played such a big part in the local area.
"I think it's important to show that not everything has to be demolished in this day and age and this is one historic building which should be retained."
The new Oakwood Pharmacy has been serving customers since February, but will be officially opened by Salvation Army Divisional Commander Bill Heeley on April 20.
* For more on this story see this week's Batley and Birstall News, out now.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Batley
Wednesday 08 February 2012
Today
Sunny spells
Temperature: -3 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: North east
Tomorrow
Light rain
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 8 mph
Wind direction: South west
