A new 24-hour gym that has taken three years to get the go-ahead is gearing up to open its doors next month.
It was back in 2018 when The Gym Group applied for planning permission to open up in the town’s Riverway Retail Park.
The chain specialises in low-cost memberships and offers 24 hours a day access for fitness enthusiasts.
It has over 170 outlets across the UK including venues in Kilmarnock and Ayr and it will now take over the former Poundworld site, which has been empty at the retail park for four years.
Gym Group bosses are now interviewing for staff including class instructors and personal trainers to join them.
And members are being given a special sign-up offer of a membership for £16.99 a month.
A planning application was lodged three years ago to change the use of the unit from retail to a gym/health and fitness centre.
At the time the planning documents stated: "The concept is based around a no-frills principle where clubs contain a large selection of market-leading equipment with the items which are expensive to operate and maintain, such as swimming pools, saunas or studios not provided as part of the offer.
"Only 9.29 per cent of visits are made between the hours of 11 pm and 6 am and due to the nature of the gym use members attending between these hours tend to do so on an individual basis, rather than as part of groups, and comprises those working shifts, such as emergency service personnel.
"As such, the potential for any impact in terms of noise and disturbance during these hours is limited and the extended hours of operation of the unit would not result in additional harm to the amenity of adjoining neighbouring or surrounding properties."
A spokesperson for The Gym Group said: "We’re the first 24/7 in town offering plenty of top-notch kit, unlimited free classes, and hundreds of free parking spaces.
"We have a combination of 42 cardio machines, training space, weights, and classes for our members to enjoy.
"Our Irvine town gym is located on Riverway Retail Park so if you’re coming in by train, we’re just opposite Irvine train station – perfect for a post-work workout before your commute home."
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