A FORMER Barclays bank in local high street is set to be converted into a new gym, with the latest plans being submitted to the council. 

An Anytime Fitness gym is set to replace the plans for the former bank in Market Road, Wickford – with plans showing the new signage for the business at the site. 

Work is well underway for the new business in the town centre, with bosses posting updates on Facebook, as well as a website being launched ahead of the opening. The firm has also been spotted advertising the new gym around the town. 

The business posted the following update on Facebook on September 3: "We are so excited to announce that the builders have begun work!! Stay tuned for updates, and make sure you have registered your details too. On a side note, please accept our apologies for the email communication that went out earlier. This was an automated email for all currently opened clubs."

The town's bank closed its doors for the final time in February 2021 and at the time bosses of the chain said there had been a drop in the number of customers using the branch in the years leading up to the closure.

George Jeffrey, Tory councillor for Wickford Park welcomed the new business. He said: "It's good to see investment in the town centre and high street areas and it should encourage more people to be more active. I am concerned about parking and hope they look at this issue. People do struggle to park in the area at times. I welcome new businesses coming to the town and hope it helps to regenerate this part of the town centre. 

"It is also good to see an empty shop unit being taken up and put back into use and it will also provide good competition for other gyms in the area, Everyone Active does have a bit of a foothold in the area. It will give people more choice in the area and also provide new jobs, hopefully for Wickford people."