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Nationwide Gym Group applies to open 24-hour gym at former Currys/PC World store in Telford Retail Park, Inverness


By Neil MacPhail

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Former Curry's unit on Telford Street...Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No..
Former Curry's unit on Telford Street...Picture: Gary Anthony. Image No..

A NATIONAL fitness company is shaping up to open a 24-hour gym in Inverness.

The Gym Group has applied to Highland Council for planning permission to change the vacant former Currys/PC World store, in Telford Retail Park, into a budget gym and health and fitness centre.

The store became available when Currys moved to another unit in the same retail park.

In a planning statement prepared for The Gym, it states the aim is to encourage health and wellbeing by providing a new commercial leisure use to meet current need and would improve the health and fitness of residents, as well as making a contribution to the local economy through the creation of jobs.

The statement added that an assessment of other potential available sites within the area identified there are no suitable available vacant sites.

The consultant’s report stated: “Although relatively new to the UK, the low-cost model is actually well established. McFit in Germany and Planet Fitness in the USA are examples where the model has expanded nationally with great success.

“The concept is based around a no-frills principle where clubs contain a large selection of (usually market leading) equipment with the items which are expensive to operate and maintain, such as swimming pools, saunas or studios, not provided as part of the offer.”

An additional report stated that noise from the proposed unit “will likely be generally inaudible to occupants of nearby dwellings”.

The planning statement added: “Providing a high level of security throughout the operation is a principle objective of The Gym Group.

“Maintaining a friendly and welcoming environment and deterring any antisocial behaviour is a priority to both the Gym Group and to its members.”

The Gym has more than 160 similar operations in locations across the UK including Aberdeen.


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