A Grade II listed building which has formerly been a pub, restaurant and hardware store could become Newark's first Islamic community centre and mosque.
The site in Appleton Gate - just opposite Newark Northgate railway station - would mainly be used as a community centre, but would also have a cafe and a place of worship for congregational prayers.
It was previously the Bowling Green pub and Alishaan restaurant, but has most recently been used as a hardware and ironmongery store, and cafe.
However, Newark Islamic Centre has been using it on an informal basis since last year, holding prayers and classes about Islam there.
It has now submitted a planning application to Newark and Sherwood District Council to change the use of the building from retail and food/drink to a community centre, place of worship, cafe and shop.
Zahoor Iqbal, Newark Islamic Centre welfare officer, said that although having a place for prayer was important, the wider community aspects of the scheme were more so.
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He said: "Prayer is one aspect of it, but there are seven or eight other things which have a higher priority.
"As Muslims we are part of Newark and it's part of our faith to help the community. The strategy is to be part of the community, the whole Newark community."
He said there would be a food bank at the site, as well as events for the elderly and other groups.
He added: "What we want to do is dispel some of the myths about Islam.
"We will do seminars and invite members of the public to presentations about what Islam is really about, and invite other faith groups in Newark. Any activity which brings the community together."
The planning application says that the ground floor of the building would be used for a community centre, which would have a space to hold community events, a meeting space for clubs and groups, and a base for charitable outreach activities.
It says: "In particular it is proposed to use the community centre for after-school educational activities and charitable support for the local homeless.
"The community centre will also include space to operate as a place of worship, which will predominantly be used for Friday prayers."
The front of the main building would be a cafe, which would be available both to users of the community centre and for members of the public.
And the single storey part of the building, which turns around the corner towards Lincoln Street, would be a convenience store.
The proposed opening hours for the community centre, cafe and shop are 7am to 10pm Monday to Sunday.
"The community centre needs to be available for use by those who work weekday and weekend daytimes; as such weekday and weekend evening activity needs to be available," says the application. "The suggested opening hours are typical of those for a community centre."
A Newark and Sherwood District Council spokesman said: “A planning application has been received for the proposed change of use of 83-85 Appleton Gate, Newark from retail to use of the building as a community centre, place of worship, cafe and shop.
"The application will, as with any planning application, be assessed by council officers and determined in accordance with the policies contained in the Local Development Framework.”
The planning application is due to be considered by the end of this month.
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