New gym plan for High Street
REIGATE could have a new High Street gym if plans to transform disused office space get the go-ahead.
An application to convert the 730 sq ft space above Marks & Spencer has been submitted to Reigate and Banstead Borough Council.
A decision should be made early next month and Alex Moseley, planner at WS Planning and Architecture in Reigate, said: "If the council approves the plan then there is no reason why work couldn't start straight away."
If approved, the gym would have 11 treadmills, 10 cross trainers, 4 rowers, 22 cycles and an assortment of resistance machines as well as free weights.
The first floor of Linden House, which has been empty for five years, will be split into six workout areas including a free weights zone, an upper and lower body zone, "abs" and spin cycle zones.
The second floor will provide shower and changing facilities, two treatment rooms and an area that will accommodate personal training sessions and fitness classes.
Mr Moseley said: "There is a great deal of wasted empty office space in the area and it makes sense to use what we already have rather than constructing new buildings, especially considering the economic situation at the moment."
No external alterations are proposed to the layout of the site other than providing replacement signage to the front of the building to replace the existing marketing boards.
Shirley Cox, chairman of the Reigate Business Guild, said: "I think this would be good for the town – it will bring some diversity in."
Fitness Zone in Bell Street already provides a gym in Reigate. Manager Dan Udall listed Donyngs in Linkfield Lane, Redhill, and the YMCA in Princes Road, Redhill, as other local gyms and said: "I am completely surprised that a business would want to open up in this area, when there is already so much provision."
The council hopes to make a decision on the plans by October 5, and information is available by searching for application reference 11/01314/CU at the council website www.reigate-banstead.gov.uk
4 Comments
by notsureonthis
Tuesday, September 06 2011, 10:37AM
“A gym in the high street isn't a great location, surely this best used for retail. Parking problems will be a huge issue and no doubt fall into the Morrisons car park. Surely we should be supporting more shops in the high street, encourage M&S to extend upstairs or a general store and cheaper clothes shops. This is the location for these type of uses, location location location.”
by rjc1977
Friday, September 02 2011, 8:54PM
“Interesting idea, although ther must be a misprint on the size of the area 730 sq ft does not give anywhere enough space to cater for all the things listed in this article without everything being on top of each other, I have personally been trying to look for a space to open a top quality private gym in Reigate for over 2 years now. Unfortunately parking is always an issue along with the lack of squre footage, I actually got my offer blown out of the water by Carpet right for that space.
Having said all that I wish you every success with it and hope it turns out to be a huge success.
Kind Regards
Robert Cheeseman”
by AgentSBond
Thursday, September 01 2011, 11:40AM
“Reigate is an affluent location to build almost any type of business for local people. Reigate eyebrow-raisingly has a new CarpetRight store which is usually a big empty space with one store manager pacing up and down from boredom and despair (waste of space?). If the question is... 'Would a new gym be lucrative and useful for residence of Reigate & Banstead borough?' The answer is... Find out what the people want.
There are no gyms within the Reigate vicinity with public transport that can offer the space to unwind with the facilities to relax and get fit at a good cost.
Donyngs is a recreational sports center Inc. most facilities, often unclean with a swimming pool full of screaming children.
Fitness Zone offers no other facilities apart from the most essential; weights, excellent personal training and a 'Pumping Iron' social environment.
Lifeline Fitness is a great gym for weights and cardiovascular training, it offers personal training, a selection of classes and is a good price (no contracts)
Nutfield Priory has everything you could possibly wish for, very relaxing and has all facilities, however it is not easy to get to and costs a whopping £60-£75 per month.
The moral of this story is... all facilities including Jacuzzi, Swimming, Sauna, Steam, Weights, Cardio, Personal Training, Spa treatment and friendly social environment that's welcoming to stay, at a reasonable price will be the only reason that Reigate needs a new gym.
Mr. Simon Bond of Quality Street.”
by Ivor_Shed
Thursday, September 01 2011, 9:52AM
“Interesting article about planning permission for a Gym.
Who are Julia, Mike and Russell - they aren't mentioned in the article, they aren't wearing training gear, they are a speech therapist, cobbler and civil servant?”