PLANS to demolish Weston’s Sweat FA gym and rebuild a �2.5million retail store have been submitted to North Somerset Council.

The application for planning permission was handed to the authority by site owners Henry Boot Developments Ltd and agents of the company are currently in talks with discount store Home Bargains to occupy the new site.

The existing premises in Winterstoke Road will be demolished and rebuilt to the same footprint, but the company has agreed to hold off the bulldozers until current occupier Sweat FA has relocated to another building in the town.

Chris Dadds, from the developer’s agent Peter Brett Associations, said: “The gym is looking to relocate as the running costs of the building are extremely high and are restricting the opportunities for the owner to invest.

“If the application is successful the gym will stay in the current building until at least the end of next year, or whenever a suitable site is found for its relocation.

“Henry Boot Developments has agreed to allow the gym sufficient time to locate a new premises but in the meantime have been seeking an occupier for the proposed new building.”

The �2.5million development is likely to take seven to eight months to complete once work starts on the site and, once finished, will provide a jobs boost in the town.

About 40 new full-time and part-time positions will be created, as well as seasonal employment and construction jobs during the work period.

Highway access to the store will not change and will continue to be from Winterstoke Road. The plans also state parking availability will decrease by 17 spaces and 16 cycle spaces will be provided.