From motors to muscles — plans have been lodged to fine-tune an Isle of Wight garage and car sales forecourt into keep fit facilities.
The East Cowes’ York Avenue Garage site could be transformed from a former MOT station and vehicle workshop into the town’s first official gym.
New jobs
Up to three part-time jobs teaching fitness classes and up to four personal trainers could be based there, say plans.
The ex Sixers garage, which closed due to the impact of Covid-19 and never returned, due to viability, has already branched out to house a cafe, barber shop and tattoo studio, with vehicle workshop retained.
Right time to re-purpose the space
The site has gone from strength to strength, Andrew White Planning Consultancy said, adding the time is right to re-purpose the space.
The plans say the garage is ‘underutilised’ and there is ‘little or no prospect’ for the return of MOTs, said documents submitted to the Isle of Wight Council.
A small space would remain for vehicle inspections, but the workshop would be converted into a gym.
Love: A positive use of the building
Councillor Karl Love, the Alliance councillor for East Cowes, told News OnTheWight,
“Personally speaking I think this would be a positive use of that building bringing a new community asset into our town.”
Unnamed tenant lined up
An unnamed tenant has been lined up, according to the agent, and opening times would be from 6.30am until late, with small group fitness sessions lasting 60 minutes.
Meanwhile, the cafe space — currently occupied by Artisan Cafe — would be slightly increased to accommodate additional seating, a bigger food preparation area and improved toilet facilities.
View the plans
You can view the plans, 23/00920/FUL, on the Isle of Wight council’s planning register.
The public consultation runs until 30th June.
This article is from the BBC’s LDRS (Local Democracy Reporter Service) scheme, which News OnTheWight is taking part in. Some alterations and additions may have been made by OnTheWight. Ed
Image: jelmer assink under CC BY 2.0
