Plans for a 24-hour gym at a Liverpool city region retail park will lead to the creation of 30 new jobs. Andrew Brown reports
A new 24 hour gym could soon open at M Park Central 12 retail park in Southport, creating 30 new jobs.
This 5,700 sq ft facility would open in the former Poundworld shop at Unit 6 in the park, adjacent to Next.
Earlier this month, Central 12 announced a new initiative of two hours free parking for customers, having taken over the operation of the car park from Sefton Council.
Work is currently underway to create a new McDonald’s outlet at Central 12, which is due to open this summer.
A planning application for the new 24/7 gym has been submitted by London and Cambridge Properties Limited to Sefton Council. It does not state who the gym operator will be.
In the submission, D2 Planning said: “Unit 6 is a purpose-built modern retail unit which has been occupied by Poundworld but is now vacant. The unit lies in a block of seven similar units immediately adjacent to Next and Boots.
“Despite continual marketing, no retail users have expressed any interest in the premises. The potential use of the unit to provide for an operator that will generate footfall and potential linked trips elsewhere.
“The applicant would like to apply for 24/7 opening hours to enable flexibility in marketing the premises.
“They believe that given the distance from residential property, that this would not cause detrimental impact on residents particularly given the other uses within the retail park.
“There is policy support both at national and local level, to ensure town centres such as Southport continue to develop as the preferred locations for retail and leisure main town centre uses.
“The proposals will see a vacant unit located within the town centre brought back into active use, helping to enhance the long term viability and viability of the centre.”
Visitors to the 600-space Southport’s M Park Central 12 have been able to enjoy two hour free parking since Monday April 8. Extended stays are accommodated through payment methods including card transactions, mobile payments, or via an app.
This initiative is part of a series of enhancements introduced by the new owners, LCP, part of M Core, which has assumed management of the car park from Sefton Council.
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M Park Central 12 boasts a diverse range of stores including Poundland, Mountain Warehouse, Boots, Next, B&M, Costa, Asda, and the Range, with the recent addition of Cassia, contributing to the variety available to the local community.
Plans are also underway to create a new McDonald’s restaurant and takeaway.