A New Look store that will be closing down later this month could become a 24-hour gym, with a planning application being submitted just days after the announcement. The clothes shop in Wickford will be closing at the end of January and now PureGym is hoping to take its place.
New Look announced earlier this week that its store in the Willows Shopping Centre would be shutting for good on January 24 this year, after more than 15 years trading. The announcement was made on Tuesday (January 7) and the following day an application was submitted to Basildon Borough Council to allow the use of a vacant shop as a gym.
PureGym have submitted the application with the intent on making the gym open 24-hours, with its nearest premises being in the Eastgate Shopping Centre in Basildon and the Pelican Retail Park in Rayleigh.
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In the submitted plans, PureGym said: “New Look intends to vacate the unit in January 2025 and PureGym, the UK’s largest health and fitness operator, now wishes to operate a new gym facility from the premises. PureGym provides members with affordable and flexible access to an excellent range of fitness equipment andclasses, 24 hours a day and on a no-contract basis.”
Speaking on the closure of the store, a New Look spokesman said: “Our Wickford store is set to close on January 24 at the landlord’s request. We would like to thank all of our colleagues and the local community for their support over the years.”
The planning application will be considered by Basildon Council at a later date.