Council officers back plans to have gym demolished

COUNCIL officers have backed plans to demolish a popular Perth gym to make way for flats.

Councillors will vote tomorrow on the plans for the site of the Fit4less gym on Canal Street.

More than 1,000 residents signed a petition calling on the council to reject the proposals. A further 34 representations were made to planners expressing fears over job losses, loss of the gym and an increase in traffic.

The owner of the Canal Street property already has planning permission to convert the vacant space upstairs into six apartments. However, more detailed plans were submitted in January to convert the entire building into new homes. The proposals require parts of the building to be reconfigured to allow access through to the stairwell and on to the first floor.

Developers say

t he initial proposal cannot be progressed due to the difficulty of accessing the building to carry out the works, and other site constraints.

About 1,200 people are members of Fit4less, which has been based in the city centre for about seven years and employs eight members of staff.

Parent company Energie Fitness said it was “deeply concerned” about the plans and gym manager Tammy Fleuchar said she was “devastated”.

She said: “I’m gutted but we’re not giving up the fight. We’ve been working with head office about having a deputation at the meeting. After lockdown, a lot of businesses may be unable to survive.

“We’ve had members offering to keep paying their fees even though the gym is closed.”

In its report, Perth and Kinross Council planners say the loss of the gym would be “regrettable”.