'We have done all we could', says Inverness gym manager after plans to turn building into bowling centre get go-ahead
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The general manager of a gym which is set to be closed to make way for a new bowling centre at Inverness Shopping Park said they had to be "ready for anything" after plans for the development were granted today.
Everlast general manager Nagina Ishaq was among the gym members and staff who joined this morning's demonstration at Highland Council's headquarters ahead of the planning committee meeting which gave the green light to a planning application to turn the gym into an entertainment venue.
The committee was split in half on the decision to grant the application – which was up for recommendation as there were no specific policies that could be called in to protect from the loss of this venue – and it was the chair's casting vote which had the final say on the debate.
Although the majority of councillors recognised this would be a loss to the community, the majority decided that the council had in this case no legal grounds to refuse this application.
Ms Ishaq said herself and the community who campaigned to try and save the gym had done all that they could to change the fate of the building.
She said: "We had to be ready for anything. Of course it's not the result we wanted, but we know we have done everything possible to make council and the committee members know what the situation is, ad how important it is.
"I was surprised to hear them talking about the Ironworks. It's surprising to hear that there are meetings –– and I am sure we are not the only ones affected by this – and that because of the regulations in place councillors are unable to take decisions that are suited for the public.
"It's a shame to see the council in a position where the committee members can't even question that, even though they are able to see in principle or ethically it's not the right thing to support.
"They need to have that room where they can question it."
The application was granted also on the basis that the applicant and landlord, Hercules Unit Trust, said that existing vacant sites in the city centre, such as the former Debenhams outlet in the Eastgate Centre, were not suitable for the planned bowling alley and inflatable centre.
They also claimed that the decision to vacate the planned site was taken by Sports Direct and Everlast's owners, Frasers Group, after failing to come to a fresh deal over rent for the building.
The agent said: "Everlast Gym occupies the premises on a short-term concessionary lease that can be terminated by either the landlord (i.e. the applicant) or the tenant on one month’s notice. Following lengthy negotiations, in an attempt to agree market terms, Frasers Group made the applicant aware that they could not make the Everlast Gym and Sports Direct financially viable on the proposed terms and that they would therefore look to vacate the premises."
An amendment to refuse planning permission was suggested by councillor Ken Gowans and supported by five more committee members – on the basis that the applicant did not provide sufficient evidence that there was no city centre venue suitable for the development as well as the new business would not be keeping in with the area, however councillor Thomas MacLennan's vote tipped the decision towards approval.
"The next question that we'll be asked is "When are we closing?," continued Ms Ishaq.
"We are still open, today it was just the plan that was approved and we are still at the early stages.
"On the other side, I think from today the two parties – Frasers Group and Hercules Units Trust – know where things stand and hopefully they will at least give us a timeline.
"Unfortunately, when it comes to money, money talks, and if the two parties cannot agree - that's then up to the landlord to decide what's next."
However she said she is still hopeful: "I am going to look elsewhere only when we will have an official closing date."
