A town centre's leisure quarter will see its final units filled after a 24/7 gym was granted planning permission.
Infinity Fitness will open its third Kent branch in Bourne Place, Sittingbourne opposite the town’s railway station.
Vacant Units 1 and 2, next to Nando’s and underneath The Light cinema, will be transformed into “one of the best-equipped gyms”, according to the fitness company.
The chain, which has two other branches in Kings Hill and Margate, submitted its plans for the 506 sq m site in December.
An Infinity Fitness spokesman said: “We are extremely excited about our new Sittingbourne site for many reasons including the ideal location based in Bourne Place which offers fantastic transportation links, free parking for members and a great corner presence.
“The overall quality of this facility will rival any gym locally. No expense has been spared.”
Infinity Fitness expects the work will cost £600,000 and will bring one new full-time role as well as three part-time positions to the area.
The current exterior of Unit 1 in Bourne Place, Sittingbourne, and what Infinity Fitness could look like
Bosses had hoped to have the gym up and running by June but the proposals were not approved by Swale council until May 28.
The opening date is now expected before the end of the year.
The plans had been backed by the former chairman of Swale council’s regeneration and property committee, Cllr Monique Bonney, who told KentOnline that the gym would be “great for the town”.
It is the latest franchise to come to the new-look centre, which is part of the multi-million pound Spirit of Sittingbourne (SoS) scheme.
The Sentado Lounge and a Travelodge are the other occupants of the complex’s units.
Pizza Express and dessert chain Creams were set to open in the remaining units at Bourne Place as part of the regeneration.
However, in 2021, it was confirmed both eateries would not be coming to the town.
Also part of the SoS scheme is the building of 170 affordable new homes on council-owned brownfield sites.
Swale council has set up its own housing association, Rainbow Homes, to achieve this.
It includes the redevelopment of the Cockleshell Walk car park, off the one-way system in the town centre, where some 51 flats will be built.
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What the exterior of the unit looks like in Bourne Place, Sittingbourne, compared to what it could look like
Once open, Infinity Fitness will provide competition for the newly opened PureGym which welcomed fitness fanatics in April.
This franchise filled the former Bensons for Beds unit in Sittingbourne Retail Park.
The furniture chain left the town in December.
