A FORMER bank in Frodsham which has stood empty for years looks set to become the latest branch of a Cheshire gym chain.

Barclays on Main Street closed its doors back in 2018, with the company blaming a drop in counter transactions. The closure followed a spate of other bank closures in the town, including HSBC and NaWest.

A campaign was launched by local MP Mike Amesbury to save the branch but efforts to keep it open were unsuccessful. 

But Elysium Health and Fitness recently applied to Cheshire West and Chester Council to change the use of the vacant building into a fitness facility, which has now been rubber-stamped. The company currently has two ’boutique’ fitness studios in Aldford in Tarporley.

According to the plans, transformation work is set to include internal alterations, but no external work will be be carried out except for the replacement of steel framed windows with UPVC.

Where the previous Barclays sign was, the applicant wants to install a new LED backlit sign.

Existing toilets in the building are set to be upgraded and showers installed. The application said the gym would contain general gym equipment and fitness suites, with the public being charged a monthly fee to use it.

The gym’s proposed opening hours would be 6am-9pm, seven days a week. The applicant said it anticipates the gym would employ at least four local people.

Recommending approval, a report by Cheshire West and Chester planning officers, said: “Overall, the proposed change of use of the building from a bank to a gym and associated amendments would be lawful development.”

The change of use application was subsequently approved.