A NEW gym could be set to open alongside a New Forest barbershop.

Proposals for the strength and conditioning facility in Ashley Road, New Milton, have been submitted to New Forest District Council.

The barbers opened in the building last year after an extensive renovation.

Now permission is being sought by the proprietors of Barbers and Barbells to convert a section of the retail premises into a gym space.

If approved, the gym will operate on a monthly subscription basis as well as pay as you go for members and non-members.

A statement submitted to the local authority in support of the application by SCP Architectural Designs says the facility will offer a mixture of free weights and equipment, such as power racks, barbells and squat bar.

The statement adds: “The new gym is owned by the same owners as the barber shop and will be run as the same business as name stated Barbers and Barbells, the majority of clients using the barbers have expressed a huge interest in joining the gym once it is fully opened.

“This will be run as the same business but will have separate access. Entering the gym will be from the side entrance of the building.

“We are offering the opportunity for another public facility within the village of Ashley promoting health and wellbeing.”

It also says the business “is not a leisure centre and will not be run like one”. The building, which was built in the 19th century, was acquired by the owners of Barbers and Barbells in 2015.

Work to open the barber side of the business began in 2017 before it opened in August 2018.

No objection to the gym proposal was made by residents or New Milton Town Council.