PLANS for a new gym in an empty unit in Bournemouth town centre have been approved.

Bournemouth Functional Ltd, which trades as 9ROUND, has been granted permission to change the use of the former Sweatshop store at 4 Albert Road from its current retail-only use class.

Sweatshop, which was popular among professional runners, closed in the middle of September last year.

The floor plan for the gym sent to Bournemouth council showed a reception area and nine workout stations plus lockers and showers.

A report by planning officer Joscelyn Holbrook states: "The site is not located in prime shopping area, it is a branch off the main high street that is characterised by a terrace of commercial units with residential above.

"It is considered that a gym adds to the range of services on offer within the town centre."

The gym would be open between 6am and 9pm Monday to Friday and between 9am and 3pm on Saturdays and Sundays, and the borough has added a condition requiring it to keep to those times, alongside a stipulation that it be used as a gym only.

9Round is a 30-minute kickbox fitness workout.

According to its website: “9Round offers a kickboxing themed fitness program that incorporates a functional, interval, cardiovascular, and circuit training regimens."