A FORMER fitness studio which was put on the market due to the 'devastating impact' of the coronavirus pandemic may be converted into a family home.

Fitness Surgery in Market Street, Dalton, was put in the market in November last year after 20 years of trading.

The sports training and fitness business was set up in September 2001 and was used as the owner's primary residence as well as space to run their business which offers tailored sports training and private individuals on a one and one basis.

New plans have been submitted to Barrow Borough Council to convert the former fitness surgery into a single residential unit as part of the use of a single dwelling house.

The proposal, submitted on October 7, states that the change of use will 'reinstate the predominant historic use of the property without altering either the existing external of internal appearance of the premises'.

It states: "The formalisation of the change of use should have a positive effect on the town centre location by introducing a new family home in a sustainable location that planning policy supports."

The building was put on the market in November 2020 - plans reveal - and has now secured a purchaser.

A covering letter submitted by the applicant's agents, Adams Planning and Development, states: "When our clients purchased the first floor accommodation, it was being let as residential accommodation to two tenants.

"The property was in a very poor state of repair so our client has refurbished it and used it initially as residential accommodation, later changing its use to an ancillary gym area that they gave used for both their and their client's fitness training."