A NEW business conference centre is about to open in a listed former Methodist chapel.

Building and property development firm B&E Boys has unveiled its latest project, St Mary's Chambers, in the centre of Rawtenstall.

The Grade Two listed building's banqueting and conference facility is due to open in November.

The former Haslingden Road Methodist Church, which dates from 1842, has been equipped with business and conference facilities.

"All the work carried out on the project has been undertaken by local tradesmen and companies. It has been a real Lancashire enterprise," said Brian Boys, managing director of B&E Boys.

The new development has office suites on three floors and three separate rooms which can convert to conference or banqueting use with on site catering and bar facilities.

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.