Horse and Farrier pub in Bradford could be turned into a mosque

The Horse and Farrier pub on Kings Road has stood empty since its closure, but a planning application has been submitted to turn the building into a place of worship and a community centre.

The application states that the proposed building, which will be named The Iqra Centre, could have many different uses, including:

• Children's educational programmes, including tuition and homework support.
• Women and children's activities, including holiday provisions, seminars and courses and a mobile creche.
• Provision for the local community to use the community hall as a prayer hall, catering for up to 100 residents from surrounding estates.
• Awareness-raising seminars and workshops in the areas of health, education, multifaith, diversity, environment and other key issues affecting the local community in the Bolton ward area of Bradford.
• A community café or community space for local residents to meet.
• Delivery of food parcels and food provision for vulnerable communities in the local area (in partnership with the Penny Appeal) and the establishment of a new food bank.

The Iqra Centre could stand on the site of The Horse and Farrier pub

At the moment, an empty orange-bricked public house, a 3-bedroom flat and a restaurant stands on the site - but the application states that in addition to a change of use, there are some minor amendments. These include putting in new windows and doors at the front of the building, plus new roof lights in the pitched roof and flat roof behind.

READ MORE: Bradford Grand Mosque part of Historic England's aerial project

Shahidur Rahman, a founding member of The Iqra Centre, said: “What we’re proposing is a community facility with all communities. We want to work together with residents to get everyone involved and that's what we're looking forward to.”

“There’s a growing Muslim community, and within this area there is only one mosque. This will be the second mosque in Undercliffe, so we definitely think the demand is there and the fundraising - which was just fantastic - shows that.”

The boarded up pub

Prior to submitting the planning application, more than £600,000 was raised by the community in 40 days to purchase the building.

"The site is conveniently located, it's got over 40 parking spaces, it's easy to get to, so we just think it's perfect and convenient for what we want it for," he added.

At the time of writing, the application has received 215 objections, and 275 contributions in support of the project.

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