RE-OPENING of Earby Youth Hostel is moving closer to reality after £15,000 in grants have been secured to make refurbishments to the building on Birch Hall Lane.

Earby Youth Hostel, which has been closed since January after the Youth Hostels Association (YHA) ended its lease with Pendle Council, is set to receive some much-needed improvements.

According to a recent report to the West Craven Area Committee, new building owners Earby Town Council requested £5,000, which would be used towards installation of new central heating, domestic hot water systems and the refurbishment of three shower cubicles at the hostel. The town council will also invest £10,000 in the project.

According to a report to the West Craven Area Committee, "as part of the transfer process, it became apparent that there was a need for some significant and extensive capital investment at the hostel.

"For instance, the current gas boiler supplying heat and domestic hot water to the hostel is beyond its life expectancy, there is insufficient radiator capacity and there are no carbon monoxide detectors.

"The three shower blocks along with some of the foul pipe plumbing to the toilets in the hostel are also in need of a total refurbishment.

"In the wardens part of the hostel there is no central heating, the shower unit over the bath is in need of replacement and the tiling around the bath also needs replacing."

To rectify all of the faults/deficiencies starting with the central heating, domestic hot water supplies and the defects in the wardens bathroom, the council has received a quote of £7,465 plus value added tax.

And Pendle Council has estimated refurbishment of the three shower blocks would cost £6,000 plus value added tax.

Earby councillor Mike Goulthorp, chairman of the West Craven Area Committee, said that Earby Town Council have taken on the building with the intention of getting someone to run it as independent youth hostel.

Cllr Goulthorp said: "A young couple has shown strong interest in taking over the tenancy. They have a lot of good ideas for future development, and have put together a good business plan.

"This is a great opportunity to run a small hostel which is a key link between us and Yorkshire."