Oswestry Muslim centre will cost £250,000 to set up
A new Muslim centre planned for one of Shropshire's market towns will cost up to £250,000 to set up, officials behind the scheme have revealed.
Members of Oswestry Muslim Society have already raised about £70,000 towards the cost of converting the former Oswald Road Fine Furniture store in the town into a dedicated place of worship.
And they hope to bring in further donations and raise more cash should their plans for the former 19th century Presbyterian church be given the blessing of planning officials at Shropshire Council.
It would end a 10-year wait by society members to find their own exclusive home. At the moment the society's estimated 70 members meet at Eastern Oswestry Community Centre for prayers every Friday afternoon and also for major religious festivals such as Ramadan and Eid-Ul-Fitr.
Plans for the Oswald Road site include turning two areas of the lower ground floor into toilets, a washing facility and a kitchen and the upstairs turned into flats.
George Miah, chief adviser of Oswestry Muslim Society, said the full cost would be about £250,000.
He said: "For the past 10 years or so we have tried to get a place to worship. It could be a place for sharing viewpoints, cultural differences and understanding people. Our children and female members can get together and invite the community for a cup of tea and to share our views.
"At the moment we use the Eastern Oswestry Community Centre. The place of worship must be looked after and clean at all times – at the moment the centre we use is also used for sports and fitness."
He added the society had members in Oswestry and Welshpool, St Martins, Llanymynech and Chirk.
Shropshire Council hopes to determine the bid by January 11.
By Chrissy Symmons
