Planning permission for a new gym, operating 24 hours a day, at the soon to be vacated Aldi store on Garth Road in Bangor, has been approved by Gwynedd Councillors.
The new gym will provide a free-weights area, a functional area and a large main floor for stretching, resistance and cardio activities, a multi-use studio and ancillary areas for changing and admin provision.
Aldi will soon vacate its site on Garth Road and relocate to a new store at Caernarfon Road. The planning permission sought to change of use of the existing Aldi store from Class A1 to Class D2 use together with associated external alterations. This will introduce a new use to the application site which will be operated as a gym by the applicant company.
PureGym is a low cost, high value gym operator that provides members with access to an excellent range of state of the art cardiovascular and fitness machinery and equipment 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It is now the country’s largest gym operator with almost 300 branches and over 1 million members throughout the UK. PureGym’s flexible, low fee membership has helped to expand the health and fitness market, making it accessible to all income groups and promoting healthier lifestyles.
PureGym’s existing presence within North Wales is limited with only one existing site in Wrexham. The proposed gym in Bangor will bring its business model to Gwynedd and northeast Wales for the first time.
For the convenience of members and to enhance accessibility for key workers and other shift workers, the gyms operate on a 24-hour basis. Access is provided via secure entry pods that are accessed using an individual PIN entry system. PIN entry also being required to access the changing rooms. Full access to all facilities is provided for the mobility impaired. The gyms are monitored by an extensive CCTV network with members provided with access to ‘Help Points’.
Some minor external alterations will be associated with the proposed change of use. These will comprise replacement entrance doors and associated double glazed curtain walling to the southern elevation, with new bi-folding automatic folding doors being installed that form part of PureGym’s secure entry system. To the eastern elevation, doors will be fixed shut including the existing roller shutter service access which is not required to service the gym. The existing access, parking arrangements and landscaping will be unaffected by the proposed change of use. All existing Aldi signage will be removed and proposals for new signage will be the subject of a separate application for advertisement consent.
It is anticipated that the proposed development will create around 15 full and part-time jobs including management roles, personal trainers and cleaning staff.
The application scheme seeks to introduce a suitable new use to the Aldi store in Bangor that is soon to relocate to new premises. The proposed gym use will make a positive contribution to the vitality and viability of Bangor City Centre by diversifying the city centre’s offer, increasing its attractiveness and supporting footfall and trade.
The application site represents a preferred location for such investment, being located within the city centre but outside of the Primary Retail Area. It has also been demonstrated that the proposed use, and associated external alterations, will not have any adverse impacts in terms of design, transport, amenities and flood risk. It is fully consistent with the provisions of the Joint Local Development Plan, Planning Policy Wales and associated guidance.
Photos: Aldi, Garth Road Bangor (2) Pure Gym, Wrexham.
