Former pub to become homeless hostel

The former Commercial Hotel in Haslingden will also become a foodbank

A former pub is to become a homeless hostel.

The Commercial Hotel building, on Manchester Road in Haslingden, will also become a foodbank.

Rossendale Council gave the go-ahead with a condition that no more than 20 residents could live there.

A Haslingden business said it supported help for the homeless but objected to the plans because it "strongly felt it would have an extremely negative impact" on the "small town centre".

No more than 20 residents will be accommodated in the hostel

'Intimidating'

Nish Vasant, clinical director of Fresh Hearing, which is opposite the Commercial Hotel, said the proposal left him worried about the future of his business.

In a letter of objection to the council, he said he would be left with "no option but to move our premises away from Haslingden, which will then ultimately hinder patients".

Mr Vasant added some customers said they would be "intimidated" by the presence of the hostel.

Applicant Usma Rehman is working with architect Steve Jackson of Architech Design Solutions in Rossendale

'Benefit the borough'

Applicant Usma Rehman, from Rochdale, said when the building was run as a pub there had been regular violent incidents.

"We hope the new plans will eliminate all anti-social behaviour," he added in a statement.

Mr Rehman said the hostel would house people from Rossendale and would be operated by a community interest company (CIC).

"Having a local facility with an experienced team will only benefit the local borough", he said.

There would be a manager, two part-time cleaners, two night security staff, three support workers and a caretaker working there, and a midnight curfew for its occupants, he added.

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