PLANS to open a gym at a retail park on Glasgow’s South Side have been submitted to to city planners for approval.

The application involves sub-dividing the existing Homebase store at Auldhouse Retail Park, Pollokshaws.

The newly-created unit would be occupied by a 1,782-square-metre JD Gyms fitness facility over two levels.

A statement submitted by consultants Zander Planning explains: “The key purpose of this proposal is to facilitate the downsizing of the Homebase unit. As widely reported, Homebase has been struggling and in 2018 announced the closure of 42 stores in the UK and 10 in Scotland, leaving just seven stores in Scotland.

“In order to protect the store at Auldhouse Retail Park, an agreement was made with the owners to downsize the unit to 25,500sq.ft (2,368sq.m). This agreement has allowed a new deal to be structured with the owners and allow the store to continue trading.”

The gym would employ around 20 staff.