PLANS for a new 24-hour gym at Gala Water Retail Park have been approved by Scottish Borders Council (SBC).

The facility, set to be open seven days a week, will be in the unit formerly occupied by Clarks.

When the application was first submitted, Euan Jardine – SBC’s executive member for wellbeing, sport and culture – said he had concerns that independent gyms in the town could be negatively impacted.

However, following the proposal’s approval, the Galashiels councillor backed the plans, saying that the new facility will create jobs for local people.

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“It is great to see another vacant unit being utilised and another option available for people in the town to gain access to exercise opportunities in a safe and controlled environment,” said Mr Jardine, of the Conservatives.

“I am sure the new business will be a success and create employment opportunities for local people.

“I hope it’s presence will also encourage other businesses to invest in the town.”

The application received objection comments from members of the public, stating concerns such as the number of gyms already in Galashiels and the potential adverse impacts on those businesses.

However, a council report states that the proposal “represents a serious means of addressing” the vacant unit “in a way that will not just complement the retail function of the town, but also provide a significant contribution to its service functions”. It states: “A gym use is an appropriate commercial leisure use within the town centre generally, and will contribute positively to its mixed use nature and viability and viability.

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“However, the proposal would be sited within a prime retail location within a dedicated retail park, and the loss of such a prime retail unit to a non-retail use would, potentially, undermine the principal retail function of the town centre.

“Though I acknowledge concerns from objectors regarding the number of gyms in the area; competition between them; and the effect of large businesses on smaller ones, none of these are planning considerations this assessment would be entitled to account for.”

The report adds: “A gym would clearly contribute to footfall within the town centre and be a suitable accompaniment to existing retail and café uses.

“However, it would not fulfil the primary retail function of the town centre directly. That said, the role of town centres is evolving, and it is widely acknowledged that their primary retail purpose is becoming less viable, whereas the service element of town centres is becoming more and more important.

“Account must be had too for the current vacancy of the unit, since this will be having a negative effect on the contribution of the retail park to the town centre.”

The Clarks store, which employed nine people, closed in June, 2020.