A NEW fitness centre could be built above a Malvern garden machinery shop.

Richard Noble, of Pickersleigh Avenue, has applied for permission to build a gymnasium, activity room, sauna and sunbed lounge, above SB and DG Services on the Roman Way retail park.

He needs Malvern Hills District Council to grant a change of use from retail to leisure before the plan can go ahead.

The site has been vacant for more than a year since a furniture show room closed.

"It was never going to work as a retail unit - it doesn't have a shop front and there is only one single doorway, but it's an ideal location with parking and accessibility," said Mr Noble, whose Planet Fitness company will own and operate the gym.

He added that he hoped to create around half a dozen jobs through the project.