Romford Mosque Plans: Brewery Hosts Drop-In on South Street Project

The Havering Islamic Cultural Centre plans a new mosque. They are holding a drop-in event involving the old Brickyard bar, later Smokey’s Shack, on South Street.

That building, from 1933, could become the new mosque. Ray Morgon said talks are ongoing with Bridge Close LLP, the council’s partner for regeneration, concerning the current Waterloo Road site.

The council wants to redevelop Bridge Close and needs to buy the HICC a new site. This is legally required to ensure a like-for-like replacement.

HICC hasn’t formally applied yet, and the South Street project costs an extra £4.5 million more than the old site. HICC must pay that difference and are currently raising funds.

Their leaflet details the project vision, and they want to keep the historic front. The mosque will have outreach facilities open to the local community.

The mosque will have prayer halls, education, and community spaces. A foodbank and soup kitchen are planned to serve the community.

The mosque design includes green features. They’ll use sustainable drainage and biodiverse landscaping.