Work starts this week to create the first ever 24-hour gym for St Austell after planning permission was granted for the facility to open at White River Place in the heart of the town.

Leading international gym franchise, Snap Fitness 24-7, has won permission to convert a 6,000 sq ft unit in the shopping centre, adjacent to the Wilkos store, and open a fully-equipped gym facility which will operate 24 hours a day.

Refitting work starts on site at White River Place today (Oct 12) to prepare the building’s interior and install a new façade on the exterior facing South Street.

Snap Fitness hopes the new gym for St Austell will open in mid-December after an anticipated 10-week build and refit.

Richard Hurst, manager of White River Place, said: “The decision by major international chain Snap Fitness 24-7 to choose St Austell as the location for its latest 24 hour gym is a huge boost for the town and reinforces the growing reputation of the town centre, which we are all working very hard to develop.”