THE gym operator taking over part of a vacant business unit at a retail park has been revealed.

A planning application has been submitted for JD Gyms, an offshoot of the multi-billion pound sportswear retailer JD Sports, to take Unit 11a on Hyndburn Retail Park near the border with Blackburn.

The Lancashire Telegraph reported in the October 2019 that owner of Home Bargains, TJ Morris Ltd, had bought the former MFI building and wanted to split the site in two with one unit to be operated by Home Bargains, and another to be taken on by a national gym chain.

Now, the identity of the chain has been revealed as JD Gyms.

On the JD Gyms website it mentions that the gym is 'coming to Blackburn' and people can get a discount place by registering now.

It said: "When launched, JD Gyms Blackburn will be a state-of-the-art facility with the very best fitness equipment, studios, saunas, a JD Burn area and a sprint and prowler track. Plus vast free weights and functional areas.

"JD Gyms Blackburn will give you a truly cutting edge fitness experience with an incredibly affordable price with 200 discount memberships available."

Leader of Hyndburn Council, Miles Parkinson, said a lot of hard work has been done by bosses of the retail park, formerly known as the Peel Centre, to bring the former MFI building back into use.

He said: "They have managed to bring the likes of Aldi, Smyths and B&M Bargains to the Peel Centre and it is great news to see people taking over the site.

"The old MFI building has been left dilapidated for some time so it is great to hear of a firm such as JD moving on there.

"Of course they will not be able to open until we see the restrictions lifted as gyms are currently closed.

"But we have seen the impact the pandemic has had on the economy but this will bring new employment and jobs and that is great news for the area."

Hyndburn MP Sara Britcliffe added: "It's always great to see any new employment come into the borough as we have seen with the major expansion of Euro Garages at Frontier Park next door.

"Anything that drives jobs and prosperity is to be welcomed."