A FIRE-ravaged nightclub is set to spectacularly rise from the ashes as a beauty salon.
Work has begun to give Afrikas, in Blackburn Road, Accrington, a new lease of life after club boss Anne Miller shut it down several years ago.
It has now been snapped up by property developers RJS Properties NW Ltd, who are applying for permission to change the use of the derelict and unsightly boarded-up building.
Since it closed, the building has been targeted by arsonists and the roof was completely destroyed during one blaze.
A new roof has already been built and work is also taking place to create 13 parking spaces, a sauna, two treatment rooms and other facilities. Around 12 jobs would be created.
Revealing plans to the Observer, managing director of the developers, Raj Singh, said: "You can get your nails done at various places in Accrington but we are going to take it a step further."
"We are doing something the town has never seen before."
"We are putting around £250,000 into the project. We have put a new roof on and we are going to tarmac the car park."
"It is a big investment for us. We were approached by our clients to find a building suitable to convert into a beauty salon."
He added that the salon owners will also apply to the council to re-activate the alcohol licence to serve wine and refreshments on the premises during special promotional events.
RJS Properties NW Ltd owns a string of properties including houses, commercial and leisure premises and the Altham and Rock Mount care homes.
