ByAnonymous, Anonymous
St Annes Hebrew Congregation is following the trend of smaller regional communities by announcing plans for the redevelopment of its building to incorporate a smaller shul and commercial housing.
Bur president Robert Pinkus stressed this week that the congregation had stabilised after a period of decline and had recently welcomed new members, "mainly people who have come over from Manchester".
The planning application submitted to Fylde Borough Council was a realistic approach to the future, he said. If consent was granted, there was no reason to proceed immediately - or even during the three-year period covered by planning approval.
Although the congregation is predominantly elderly - there is no cheder - Mr Pinkus said its fortunes had improved since the arrival of Rabbi Ephraim Guttentag, whose induction by the Chief Rabbi last year coincided with a celebration of the synagogue building's golden jubilee.
"There's a very active ladies' guild and a number of social events. The rabbi organises a Thursday bagel breakfast and shiur and a fortnightly social."
St Annes amalgamated with Blackpool Hebrew Congregation in 2012. The current membership is 200 and Mr Pinkus said that around 50 people attended Shabbat services. But a shul that could seat 450 could well, in time, become uneconomical.
The synagogue's plans also include provision for one or more upper floor flats.
"We get a number of visitors and it would be good to have somewhere kosher for them to stay."