Sunday, August 3, 2014: Building work has started to convert former Ship Aground pub in Lea Bridge Road, Lower Clapton, into a Sikh gurdwara and community centre.
The building will be partially demolished and rear extensions built, though the front of the building will be kept the same.
The Sikh community has had to worship at temples outside the borough for the past 16 years, following the closure of a Finsbury Park temple.
The premises will feature an upstairs library along with a prayer hall. There will also be a wedding hall, classrooms for teaching English and IT skills to immigrants, residence for a priest or caretaker, gym and a canteen to be open to the public.