Distinctive Wath building could get a makeover

The ‘Value for Money Stores’ building, in Montgomery Road, has a mock-Tudor styled frontage and currently has a gym in the basement, with the ground floor accommodating a cafe, beauticians and a market.

Planners have been told much of the market space has been unoccupied for years, due to low demand from customers.

That would be replaced with a gym and boxing school, with a gym in the basement having proved successful over the last five years.

Taking over the ground floor would allow the business to expand, planning documents state.

The redevelopment would include new entrance doors being fitted, with the rest of the current front-window space at ground level being built into solid walls.

The distinct timber cladding and large front window upstairs would be kept, with the windows being replaced by Upvc units.

According to the application: “The property is currently in a state of antiquity.

“Timber panes have been used to board up some windows to prevent further vandalism and provide advertising space.

“The proposal aims to increase the status of the building be reinstating the existing windows.

“This will increase the visual amenity of the area and help to reduce vandalism.”

It is anticipated the business would employ four staff members, with 11 temporary workers for school holiday ‘boot camps’.

Upstairs, three flats would be created.

There is parking space outside, but the applicant expects much of the gym trade would be local, with many customers using public transport.