A chain of gyms is hoping to open its first branch in Brighton in an old HMV store in the city centre.
The unit on Western Road, opposite Poundland, has been home to a series of bargain clearance outlets since the record store closed more than ten years ago.
Now, Energie Fitness wants to convert the basement and ground floor of the four storey building into a gym.
A planning application submitted to Brighton and Hove City Council said: “Energie is a fast growing, popular new gym operator which is keen to invest in the application site to provide the residents, shoppers, workers and visitors of Western Road, Brighton, with a place to work out and keep fit, thus promoting healthy living.
“The application proposal is beneficial for the wider area, providing a number of positive economic and social benefits.
“This proposal represents a tangible opportunity to enhance the sustainability of this area, improving health and well-being in the area, creating new jobs for local people.”
The company is applying for permission for a change of use from retail to gym, to install air conditioning units and for the display of signs on the building frontage.
Energie has 93 clubs across the UK and Europe.
The site currently has permission to be turned into a 21-bedroom house of multiple occupation after an application from Hove developer Ahmed Alkhani was approved in August last year.
The current application was submitted to the council on March 12, before the coronavirus lockdown began.
An actual decent shop would be better. There’s a gym behind there in Castle Street and several more around Brighton. We need something to make people want to go to Western Road shop.
With most of retail now suffering as never before we’re going to see more and more of our existing shops boarded up.
A gym is therefore a very good idea and those visiting for exercise will also use local shops on their way home. What’s not to like?
Breathing life into these commercial premises is imperative. However, not this life. Energie’s own website boasts their new gyms open with 1,000 members. If only half arrive by car, that’s 500 new pieces of traffic and 500 cars trying to park. In the Conservation Area. With zero parking allocated to these premises. 24 hours, 7 days a week again according to their planning application.
And then the wipe out effect this national franchise would have on local independent Alive Fitness gym on the same street.
Don’t be daft!
It’s a town centre location, with no parking (and why would you pay to park in Churchill Square as it’s expensive), on a road with no car access.
I would hazard an informed guess that virtually nobody who would join it, will drive there, as like most gyms, members live locally and go to their local gym.
I’ve been going to a gym for nearly ten years, and I haven’t met many at all who say they drive there.