Consol tanning studio plans for former Tamworth retail park gym

Plans for a new tanning studio as part of two split units at the site of a former gym at a popular town retail park have emerged. Consent is being sought for the installation of a new shop front to the side elevation and the installation of three internally illuminated signs at the old Anytime Fitness around the side of Sainsbury's Ventura Park and opposite the big Aldi, Home Bargains and Costa.

Plans for a new Consol were registered on the Tamworth Borough Council website yesterday, Thursday, May 2. Search 0112/2024 here.

A document attached within the planning portal explains: "The subject applications seek full planning permission and advertisement consent.

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"The unit has previously been occupied by Anytime Fitness although it is now vacant. The unit is to be split into two smaller units, one of which Consol Ltd will be occupying. Planning permission is not required to split the unit as it is not considered development.

"Full planning permission is sought for the replacement of existing doors on the southeast elevation with a new shop front and the installation of a hot air vent.

"Advertisement consent is sought for three internally illuminated signs. Existing signage on the southeast and northwest elevations for Anytime Fitness are to be replaced with the current proposals. The proposed sign on the southeast elevation is to be sited above the proposed new shop front."

It concludes: "It is considered that this statement has demonstrated the proposal is appropriate in terms of the National Planning Policy Framework, the adopted local plan and the Town and Country Planning regulations. Accordingly, it is respectfully contended that planning permission and advertisement consent ought to be granted without delay."

We told last August of the closure of the gym which left members “shocked” and “saddened”.

A ‘temporarily closed’ sign appeared in the window of Anytime Fitness. However, the Anytime Fitness Tamworth Facebook page revealed it was permanently closed.

It said: “We are absolutely shocked and devastated by this news and did not see it coming. Myself and Nick have worked extremely hard to make the gym a better experience for you all. Trying hard to add things in and listen to you all on how to improve the gym.

“We are going to miss your faces and the friendships we created. We hope to see you all around and keep in contact.

“Some members have set up a goodbye meeting. We hope to see you there.”

A spokesperson for Anytime Fitness told us at the time: “All Anytime Fitness locations are independently owned by franchisees and after over seven years of serving the community of Tamworth, the gym is now permanently closed and has entered insolvency.

“The closure is a result of the incredibly challenging macro-economic climate, rising operational and energy costs of running the gym and an increase in budget competition in the local area.

“We would like to thank all Anytime Fitness Tamworth members for their loyal patronage over the past seven years and unwavering support. We appreciate that this is hugely disappointing news to receive and would like to sincerely apologise.

“All members were informed of the gym’s permanent closure and will be contacted with details on how to submit a claim for any owed membership fees via administrators."