A new health and fitness club is set to open at the former Carpetright outlet close to Bury town centre. Kings Gym are set to occupy the building after Bury Council approved a change of use for the premises Moorgate Retail Park.
The other four units at the park are occupied by Home Bargains, Halfords, Farmfoods and KFC. Documents in support of the application, said: “The Charities Property Fund, apply for planning permission in order to allow the floorspace within Unit B at Moorgate Retail Park to be used as a health and fitness club.
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“The application is made to facilitate the reuse by a new tenant, Kings Gym. The unit measures approximately 932 sqm and is a long-term vacancy following the cessation of the previous use following the closure of Carpetright in 2018.
“Moorgate Retail Park is an established commercial destination within Bury town centre. The units at the retail park are configured around a central car park which includes provision for approximately 280 vehicles (11 of which are reserved for use by less able bodied customers).
“The proposal is a positive proposal that will enable a long-term vacant unit in Bury town centre to be reoccupied so that it can contribute to the local economy.”
In April 2018, Carpetright announced it was closing the outlet at Moorgate under a company voluntary arrangement.
Prior to approving the plans, Bury Council received one representation raising concerns about parking impacts on local residents and customers of the other stores within the complex. They stated that the car park is already often full and highlighted the possible impact of later evening car movements beyond the closing times of the existing retail units.
A planning officer report into the application concluded that the change fo use would ‘support the role and function of Bury town centre without detriment to highway safety or residential amenity’.
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