ONE councillor said the change won’t affect many people - wine lovers or fitness fanatics - as Penarth Town Council put their support behind a gym turning into a bottle shop.
An application is currently in place to change the use of the ground floor premises at the Moorwell on Windsor Road – currently the site of Anytime Fitness – from a gym to a Majestic Wine store.
At a council meeting on February 15, Cllr Rhiannon Birch, Labour for Cornerswell, said: “This does not make a big difference to the majority of people. Most people do not go to bulk wine sellers and most people do not use that gym.”
Other councillors at the meeting were a little more delicate in assessing the situation after a petition, which has hit over 700 signatures as of writing, called for the gym to be saved.
Cllr Richard Cox, Labour for Stanwell, said there was no valid planning grounds to object to the application making the council “virtually forced” to accept it, but did regret the change of use.
Elliot Penn, Labour at St. Augustine’s, was the only councillor to object to the planning application, saying a number of interested parties had come to him expressing their concerns.
He also questioned the optics for Penarth potentially getting a new super GP centre the “Wellbeing Hub” in the old police station across the road from what could be a bulk seller of alcohol.
Cllr Penn said: “The police station has been muted for a health hub and having an alcohol shop opposite would not look good.
“I know no one who is supportive of this. I think if the gym can be financially viable it should continue.”
Cllr Mark Wilson, Stanwell and Labour, seemed intrigued at what Majestic could bring to the town.
“Only open until 7pm seems quite reasonable and Majestic is for people who have to make serious purchases. Nowhere really in Penarth does that.
“I think we’ll find it very difficult to object so I think we should support the application.”
Pinot instead of press-ups: Anytime Fitness gym Penarth at threat with Majestic Wine looking to move in
There is much conjecture going around as to the precarious future of Anytime Fitness in Penarth.
The gym, which is the only Anytime Fitness in South Wales and only one of three in the country, has recently been beset with issues after having to abruptly close in October last year for over a week after the landlord went in and changed the locks.
Read more on Anytime Fitness' precarious future in Penarth:
- Petition for Anytime Fitness Penarth after uncertain future
- Majestic Wine looks to move into gym Anytime Fitness Penarth
This latest setback could be the biggest threat to Anytime’s future in Penarth as Majestic Wine has made an application to take over the space for their wine retail operation.
However, there is said to be fury about the plans among the gym's “1,000 members” who say they cherish the space as an outlet of wellbeing and health.
An online petition on 38degrees has already reached 700 signatures as of writing.
Majestic Wine say they do not want to comment on the situation at this time.
Vale Council has confirmed an application for the building in Penarth is awaiting responses to a public consultation.
Anytime Fitness has been contacted for comment.
Look at the planning application on Vale Council's planning portal: Number: 2024/00037/FUL.
What do you think about the gym closing? Good or bad for Penarth? Would you rather pick up the dumbbell or a bottle of wine? Are you a gym user at Anytime? How will this affect you? Let us know, emailing harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk.
Got a story in Penarth? Email harry.jamshidian@newsquest.co.uk
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