Ye of little faith? The tax loophole that turns old pubs into places of worship

The former Duke of York pub in Clapham, south London, is advertised as a ‘faith room’ on the Faithful Global website. Photograph: Martin Godwin/The Observer

The windows are painted over, the woodwork is rotting and weeds have sprouted through the paving outside.

The former Duke of York pub in Clapham, south London, is not in the best of shape. It certainly does not look like somewhere used for regular prayer services.