A new gym and health and fitness centre could be created on a busy Carlisle retail park.

Plans to transform an empty unit on the St Nicholas Gate retail park, on London Road, have been tabled with Carlisle City Council.

The unit was previously the Brantano footwear shop, between the B&M Home Store and Asda, before it closed in 2016.

National chain The Gym Group wants to change the use of the unit from retail. Its gyms are open 24 hours a day, according to the firm's website.

The Gym Group's website states that the chain was founded by John Treharne, a former England squash player, in 2008.

In December 2012 The Gym Group was officially recognised as one of the fastest growing companies in the UK in the Sunday Times Fast Track 100 - ranked no. 13 in the prestigious publication.