Proposals to Open 24/7 Gym on Wrexham Retail Park

Proposals to create and operate a 24-hour gym in an empty retail unit in Wrexham Town Centre have been put forward.

In an application submitted to Wrexham Council by ‘Pure Gym’ it is proposed a 24-hour gym is opened and developed in Unit three of Central Retail Park, located on Bradley Road in the town centre.

Pure Gym was launched in 2009 as a ‘low cost, high value gym operator’ and currently operates over 70 branches across the UK.

If proposals are successful this will be the third Pure Gym to open in Wales – after Cardiff and Newport.

The application’s cover letter comments on the application, saying: “The Pure Gym concept is highly innovative and the proposed gym will be the first such facility in North Wales, making Wrexham Town Centre a more attractive place to live and work, particularly for younger people.”

If planning permission for the development of a new gym in Wrexham is successful, the facility will operate over three floors and feature a free weight area, a cardiovascular and conditioning equipment and also studio space and changing facilities.

No changes would be made to the existing floorspace of the property and the gym would be open 24 hours a day seven days a week.

The application’s Cover Letter goes onto note that the proposed change of use of the building ‘follows difficulties in securing retail tenants at the retail park, as evidenced by the high level of floorspace that is currently unoccupied’. The letter also comments on a clause on the planning permission on the site, noting ‘the use of the retail units shall be strictly limited to the sale of non-food goods’.

Central Retail Park consists of several retail units, however three large properties are currently vacant on the site. The proposed unit has remained vacant for several years and was previously occupied by ‘Dreams’ – a bedding and mattress company. The property is one of three vacant properties in existence on the Central Retail Park.

The document concludes: “The application proposal entirely accords with the provisions of national and local planning policy. The provision of a twenty four hour gym at the application site will support the vitality and viability of the town centre and the diversity of uses present within the existing retail park whilst the provision of an affordable exercise and fitness centre within Wrexham will serve to encourage healthy lifestyles and participation in sport.”

These particular proposals come at an interesting period for ‘leisure facilities’ in Wrexham, with Total Fitness due to reopen their facilities on Rhosddu Road in April and the future of the Waterworld facility on Bodhyfryd surrounded by uncertainty.