Go-ahead For 24-Hour Gym To Open In Former B&M Store

The go-ahead has been given for a 24-hour gym to open in the former B&M store in Market Harborough town centre.

Councillors approved allowing the building in the Commons Car Park to be used for leisure purposes, instead of retail, when they met last night.

The B&M store closed in March

Planning officers told them the unit would likely remain empty if it stayed as a shop, as had proved unsuccessful for a number of major retailers and had been marketed for four years, with no interest from the retail sector.

The decision paves the way for national gym operator, The Gym Group, to move into the former store, which shut in March.

The store was bought by Harborough District Commercial Services Limited, a company owned by Harborough District Council, just over a year ago as part of a £3.8 million deal that included the acquisition of the next door Tesco and five first floor flats.