AN EMPTY Currys store on the outskirts of the city could become a 24-hour gym under new proposals.

PureGym has submitted a planning application to Winchester City Council for the unit in Moorside Retail Park, Moorside Road.

Currys closed the store in May last year after its lease came to an end. 

The gym would be open 24 hours a day and provide 15 full and part-time jobs. 

By Thursday, January 4, only one neutral public comment had been submitted. The City of Winchester Trust said: “The trust has no comments on this application.”

Hampshire County Council's highways department had no objection. 

READ MORE: Winchester Currys closes its doors for good following rent increase

Hampshire Chronicle: Example PureGym interior

On the application's planning statement, it said: “The nearest existing PureGym sites are in Southampton and at Andover, all more than 10 miles from Winchester. 

“Every gym provides an excellent range of fitness equipment and machinery, with a range of gym classes and other services such as personal training. Gyms operate on a 24-hour basis, seven days a week, providing access to the whole community, including those who work irregular shift patterns such as key workers.

“The proposed gym at Moorside Retail Park is expected to comprise a main gym area, studio, free weights area, spin area and functional zone. In addition, changing facilities and showers will be provided, together with separate staff areas. 

“The proposal will also support new investment in this part of the city, bringing a vacant unit back into use, introducing a national gym operator, providing a complementary facility to nearby employment sites within Winnall and encouraging further commercial investment.

"In addition, the proposed development will bring a vacant building back into use and create up to 15 full and part-time jobs that will prove particularly attractive to younger people. This includes access to the PureGym Academy which provides career diplomas in gym instruction and personal training. 

“The location of the proposed gym is accessible, served by adequate car parking and provides access to public transport facilities. The introduction of the proposed use and the 24-hour operation of the site will not give rise to any unacceptable impacts on neighbouring properties, with the nearest noise-sensitive properties being some distance from the application site. PureGym adopts extensive measures to ensure a safe and secure environment for its members.”

For more information about the application, search 23/02436/FUL on Winchester City Council's online planning portal.