A Royston man has spoken to the Crow about his vision to turn the old tile shop in Priory Lane into a popular gym with a firm community focus.

Tony Mottram, who has worked in construction for more than 20 years, will find out in a couple of weeks if his application for a change of use licence has been approved, and if it does, he is hoping to open the gym by March.

He said: “I have always used gyms to try to keep fit.

“I’ve got young children and it’s important for them to stay healthy and get involved in sports.

“I’m looking to introduce facilities for local children, and to work with local sports groups such as running clubs.

“The building itself needs something doing with it.

“It would be a sociable gym, with the same friendly faces on reception and a kitchen area for people to grab a coffee. I want to bring a new, fresh centre into the town.”

If given the go ahead, the gym would have weights and treadmills on the ground floor, and rowing machines, spinning and stretching facilities upstairs.